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Showing results for once in a while. Search instead for Once+In+A+While.
Synonyms

once in a while

Idioms  
  1. Occasionally, not very often, as in Once in a while I enjoy going fishing. [Mid-1800s] Also see every now and then; from time to time.


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Ben Sasse: Thanks for letting me be a part of your page once in a while.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

As it only comes along once in a while, it is where we get the phrase "once in a Blue Moon" from.

From BBC • Apr. 30, 2026

But every once in a while, we get a little wink, an ounce of good luck, an unearned gift, a happy accident, and this recipe falls in that category.

From Salon • Apr. 13, 2026

Every once in a while she will run across an item or article asking the question: “Whatever happened to Jane Kaczmarek?”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

Doña Cony clicked her rosary and whispered “Amen” every once in a while.

From "When I Was Puerto Rican" by Esmeralda Santiago

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