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Synonyms

on occasion

Idioms  

  1. From time to time, now and then, as in Nell has been known to eat meat on occasion. This usage, first in the form of upon occasion, replaced by occasion about 1600.

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.

According to Moore, Bush had been making his own coffins to save money – on occasion staying up all night at the firm's Hessle Road parlour.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

As we talk, on occasion the screeching call of a toucan pierces the quiet, and miles above, the same giant black birds hover menacingly in groups, surveying everything below.

From Slate • Mar. 30, 2026

“The Madison” is Sheridan’s way of proving he understands that women can also, on occasion, be normal, grounded and sensible humans.

From Salon • Mar. 23, 2026

Your correspondent has written about it on occasion.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 20, 2026

I feel that squeeze of fear on my heart that invades on occasion, whenever “Mom” and “guy” are in the same sentence.

From "Saints and Misfits" by S.K. Ali

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.