oftentimes
Americanadverb
Usage
What does oftentimes mean? Oftentimes is another way of saying often or frequently. It’s used to give an idea of how frequently something happens or is done. Something that happens occasionally happens sometimes. Something that happens oftentimes happens a lot (though maybe not all the time). Oftentimes is an adverb, meaning it’s typically used to describe verbs. It’s oftentimes associated with habitual actions. A less common variant of oftentimes is ofttimes. Example: He would oftentimes take his dog for a walk in the woods to clear his head.
Etymology
Origin of oftentimes
Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at often, time, -s 1
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.
I was in this condition for nearly three years: -- oftentimes I was not able to lift my hand to my head, nor a tea-cup to my mouth'.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 7, 2026
“There were problems that people spend weeks figuring out, oftentimes never ending on a solution,” he said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2026
This hyperlocal election model results in there being numerous officials who must figure out new rules and regulations, oftentimes with pretty limited funds.
From Slate ● Sep. 3, 2026
She currently shares a car with her boyfriend and they coordinate daily dropoffs and pickups, oftentimes inconveniencing one of them.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 8, 2026
“Aye, curious. I know the ways of boys. They are like cats who thrust their noses into everything and oftentimes are sorry. You had best save your curiosity, young one, for safer subjects.”
From "The Golden Goblet" by Eloise Jarvis McGraw
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
