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

In addition, another set of samples was collected in patients who were convalescing from the often-fatal disease.

From The Daily Beast

CeleryThis often-overlooked veggie is way more than chicken wing garnish!

From The Daily Beast

A leitmotif on journalism threads through this often-byzantine narrative.

From The Daily Beast

But even that often-frosty relationship has further chilled as the two sides hurled insults and accusations this week.

From The Daily Beast

This is also the era when the rare event of a star dying too young became an all-too-often occurrence.

From The Daily Beast

A few inarticulate grunts were the only answers he could give to our often-repeated remonstrances.

From Project Gutenberg

In contrast with these childish pieces of anthropomorphism, we have the famous and sublime speculations of an often-quoted hymn.

From Project Gutenberg

The American Country Girl is doing her full share and often-times more than her share.

From Project Gutenberg

But the conception of this often-repeated figure is charming: it would make a garden seem more peaceful in the sunshine.

From Project Gutenberg

We sit on the floor in front of the hearth, and I suffer the often-repeated martyrdom of the "Fire Pig."

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• generally
• much
• regularly
• repeatedly
• usually