often

1, 2. 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.

how to pronounce often

Often was pronounced with a t -sound until the 17th century, when a pronunciation without the

[t] /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] /t/ for many speakers, and today

[aw-fuhn] /ˈɔ fən/ and

[awf-tuhn] /ˈɔf tən/ [or

[of-uhn] /ˈɒf ən/ and

[of-tuhn] /ˈɒf tən/ ] exist side by side. Although it is still sometimes criticized, often with a [t] /t/ is now so widely heard from educated speakers that it has become fully standard once again.

OTHER WORDS FROM often

of·ten·ness, noun

Words nearby often

of sorts, of sound mind, Ofsted, oft, Oftel, often, often as not, oftentimes, of the devil, of the essence, of the first water

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use often in a sentence

In addition, another set of samples was collected in patients who were convalescing from the often-fatal disease.
Did One Liberian Prostitute Give Ebola to Eight Soldiers?|Kent Sepkowitz|October 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
CeleryThis often-overlooked veggie is way more than chicken wing garnish!
10 Ways to Stay Hydrated (That Aren’t Water)|DailyBurn|July 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A leitmotif on journalism threads through this often-byzantine narrative.
How the ‘Witch Hunt’ Myth Undermined American Justice|Jason Berry|July 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But even that often-frosty relationship has further chilled as the two sides hurled insults and accusations this week.
Exclusive: Putin Halts All Talks With White House|Josh Rogin|April 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST

This is also the era when the rare event of a star dying too young became an all-too-often occurrence.
The 100 Coolest Americans Gather at the National Portrait Gallery|William O’Connor|February 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A few inarticulate grunts were the only answers he could give to our often-repeated remonstrances.
Hurricane Hurry|W.H.G. Kingston
In contrast with these childish pieces of anthropomorphism, we have the famous and sublime speculations of an often-quoted hymn.
Myth, Ritual, and Religion, Vol. 1|Andrew Lang
The American Country Girl is doing her full share and often-times more than her share.
The American Country Girl|Martha Foote Crow
But the conception of this often-repeated figure is charming: it would make a garden seem more peaceful in the sunshine.
George Eliot's Life, Vol. II (of 3)|George Eliot
We sit on the floor in front of the hearth, and I suffer the often-repeated martyrdom of the "Fire Pig."
Lazarre|Mary Hartwell Catherwood

British Dictionary definitions for often

often

/ (ˈɒfən, ˈɒftən) /

adverb

frequently or repeatedly; much of the timeArchaic equivalents: oftentimes, ofttimes

as often as not quite frequently

every so often at intervals

more often than not in more than half the instances

adjective

archaic repeated; frequent

Word Origin for often

C14: variant of oft before vowels and h

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with often

often

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

often

OTHER WORDS FOR often

OPPOSITES FOR often

Origin of often

synonym study for often

how to pronounce often

OTHER WORDS FROM often

Words nearby often

Words related to often

How to use often in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for often

Word Origin for often

Other Idioms and Phrases with often