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Synonyms

sometimes

American  
[suhm-tahymz] / ˈsʌmˌtaɪmz /

adverb

  1. on some occasions; at times; now and then.

sometimes British  
/ ˈsʌmˌtaɪmz /

adverb

  1. now and then; from time to time; occasionally

  2. obsolete formerly; sometime

"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

Etymology

Origin of sometimes

First recorded in 1520–30; sometime + -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’m there to smooth out all of the snags that sometimes occur when nobody’s in charge.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

Even for a high-profile international footballer, sometimes mum knows best.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

Intense competition is pushing manufacturers to improve effectiveness while slashing costs, sometimes to less than $1,000 per unit, making them "affordable", Myronenko said.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

“He opens up a lot of questions that sometimes when you’re doing your thing you wouldn’t ask yourself,” said Francesca Bellettini, chief executive of Gucci, Kering’s largest brand by sales.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

“She went off on me the other day—about how sometimes my priorities are messed up.”

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison

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.