Synonyms

on-again, off-again

American

[on-uh-gen awf-uh-gen, of-, awn-] / ˈɒn əˌgɛn ˈɔf əˌgɛn, ˈɒf-, ˈɔn- /

Or on-again-off-again

adjective

being in force or inoperative by turns, especially spasmodically and unpredictably.

an on-again, off-again romance.

off again, on again Idioms

see off and on, def. 2.

Etymology

Origin of on-again, off-again

First recorded in 1945–50

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.

In a truly extraordinary piece of timing, the New York Times reported on Thursday that the on-again, off-again interim U.S.

From Slate • Mar. 6, 2026

It had planned ahead and weathered the on-again, off-again trade war.

From BBC • Jan. 6, 2026

The on-again, off-again trade war between the U.S. and China this year has been felt around the world.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 31, 2025

Certainly there are factors that could spook the market, including the on-again, off-again trade war, which threatens future interest rate cuts.

From Barron's • Oct. 13, 2025

Soon after McCandless returned to Carthage that spring, Westerberg introduced him to his longtime, on-again, off-again girl-friend, Gail Borah, a petite, sad-eyed woman, as slight as a heron, with delicate features and long blond hair.

From "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023