often

[ aw-fuhn, of-uhn; awf-tuhn, of- ]

adverb

1. many times; frequently:

   He visits his parents as often as he can.

   Synonyms: customarily, repeatedly

   Antonyms: seldom

2. in many cases.

   Synonyms: customarily, repeatedly

   Antonyms: seldom

adjective

1. Archaic. frequent.

often

/ ˈɒftən; ˈɒfən /

adverb

1. frequently or repeatedly; much of the time Archaic equivalentsoftentimesofttimes
2. as often as not
   quite frequently
3. every so often
   at intervals
4. more often than not
   in more than half the instances

adjective

1. archaic.
   repeated; frequent

Pronunciation Note

Often was pronounced with a t -sound until the 17th century, when a pronunciation without the [t] came to predominate in the speech of the educated, in both North America and Great Britain, and the earlier pronunciation fell into disfavor. Common use of a spelling pronunciation has since restored the [t] for many speakers, and today [aw, -f, uh, n] and [awf, -t, uh, n] [or [of, -, uh, n] and [of, -t, uh, n] ] exist side by side. Although it is still sometimes criticized, often with a [t] is now so widely heard from educated speakers that it has become fully standard once again.

Other Words From

• often·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of often¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English oftin, variant before vowels of ofte ; oft

Word History and Origins

Origin of often¹

C14: variant of oft before vowels and h

Idioms and Phrases

see every now and then (so often) ; more often than not .

Synonym Study

Often, frequently, generally, usually refer to experiences that are customary. Often and frequently may be used interchangeably in most cases, but often implies numerous repetitions and, sometimes, regularity of recurrence: We often go there; frequently suggests especially repetition at comparatively short intervals: It happens frequently. Generally refers to place and means universally: It is generally understood. He is generally liked; but it is often used as a colloquial substitute for usually. In this sense, generally, like usually, refers to time, and means in numerous instances. Generally, however, extends in range from the merely numerous to a majority of possible instances; whereas usually means practically always: The train is generally on time. We usually have hot summers.

Example Sentences

As Sir Terry was already known to publishers, Mr Smythe said his job was often focused on negotiating contracts or arranging speaking events.

From BBC

In countries with no sugar tax, they contain much more glucose and often no glycerol at all, the authors say.

From BBC

For him, in fact, the swagger and browbeating are often an integral part of the negotiating process.

From BBC

These often involve cattle raiding and disputes over access to water in this drought-prone region.

From BBC

I often forget to use a turn signal now, but at least I know my daughter’s favorite foods.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• generally
• much
• regularly
• repeatedly
• usually