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.
My guess is oftentimes there will be some truth in what each side says, but never the full truth.
From Barron's • Jun. 25, 2026
Despite its charm, frozen pizza can oftentimes be, well, a little too simple.
From Salon • Jun. 6, 2026
“The investigations are oftentimes not done using trauma-informed techniques or processes.”
From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026
“We oftentimes hear people say, ‘Well, they end up paying a disproportionate share of the state’s taxes,’ which is true, but they also have a disproportionate share of the state’s wealth.”
From MarketWatch • May 19, 2026
“I only know one story. But oftentimes small pieces seem to be stories themselves.”
From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss
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.
