Definition of the word often

: many times : frequently

are often puzzled and sometimes annoyed by the ways of other peoplesW. A. Parker

Synonyms

Example Sentences



They go out to dinner fairly often.



How often do you call your mother?



The condition often returns even after treatment with antibiotics.



I often take a walk during my lunch break.



He travels more often than I do.



The disease is diagnosed most often in children.



They seem to be getting into arguments more and more often.



It’s not often that I get to enjoy a day off.



Water the plants often enough to keep the soil moist.

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Recent Examples on the Web

Besides Galloway and Wilt, Humphrey praised other first responders for their efforts at the scene, noting that Fire and EMS personnel often enter scenes before they are deemed safe.


Madeline Mitchell, The Courier-Journal, 12 Apr. 2023





My boss tells me quite often that there’s a bigger plan for me at the company.


Annie Lane, oregonlive, 12 Apr. 2023





But, when acknowledging the other end of the spectrum, meal replacement bars and shakes can often offer a far better option than picking up a burger and a milkshake from a fast-food drive thru.


Talene Appleton, menshealth.com, 12 Apr. 2023





Parker Clay Rincon Backpack $228 at parkerclay.com This spacious bag doubles as a tote and a backpack and is an ideal gift for the dad who often hits the beach/park/tailgate with a lot to carry.


Lizzy Briskin, womenshealthmag.com, 12 Apr. 2023





She can often be found in front of a screen fangirling about something new.


Samantha Olson, Seventeen, 12 Apr. 2023





While many garments and accessories have popped back into the picture in recent years, few items are as ubiquitous as fanny packs (now often referred to as belt bags).


Rebecca Norris, Woman’s Day Magazine, 11 Apr. 2023





Then, over time, people get to know them a little—and often still wouldn’t touch them with a 10-foot pole.


David Meyer, Fortune, 11 Apr. 2023





Such agencies often rely on machine learning (ML) technology for the efforts, which allows programs to take in vast amounts of data and train themselves to find patterns and make predictions, according to MIT’s explanation on ML.


Emma Colton, Fox News, 11 Apr. 2023



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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word ‘often.’ Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, alteration of oft

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of often was
in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near often

Cite this Entry

“Often.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/often. Accessed 13 Apr. 2023.

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Last Updated:
13 Apr 2023
— Updated example sentences

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  • Idioms And Phrases

This shows grade level based on the word’s complexity.

[ aw-fuhn, ofuhn; awf-tuhn, of— ]

/ ˈɔ fən, ˈɒf ən; ˈɔf tən, ˈɒf- /

This shows grade level based on the word’s complexity.


adverb

many times; frequently: He visits his parents as often as he can.

in many cases.

adjective

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Origin of often

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English oftin, variant before vowels of ofte; see oft

synonym study for 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 [ofuhn] /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

Words related to often

generally, much, regularly, repeatedly, usually, oftentimes, ofttimes, again and again, many a time, over and over, recurrently, time after time

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.

  • CeleryThis often-overlooked veggie is way more than chicken wing garnish!

  • A leitmotif on journalism threads through this often-byzantine narrative.

  • But even that often-frosty relationship has further chilled as the two sides hurled insults and accusations this week.

  • This is also the era when the rare event of a star dying too young became an all-too-often occurrence.

  • A few inarticulate grunts were the only answers he could give to our often-repeated remonstrances.

  • In contrast with these childish pieces of anthropomorphism, we have the famous and sublime speculations of an often-quoted hymn.

  • The American Country Girl is doing her full share and often-times more than her share.

  • But the conception of this often-repeated figure is charming: it would make a garden seem more peaceful in the sunshine.

  • We sit on the floor in front of the hearth, and I suffer the often-repeated martyrdom of the «Fire Pig.»

British Dictionary definitions for often


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


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

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

We may not often have such hot summers in winter, but neither do we _often_ have such cold winters in summer. ❋ Louisa Stuart Costello (1834)

As far as my observations extend, few, if any, of all the devotees to this stupefying substance, ever resort to its use without some supposed necessity; and often, alas _too often_, by the advice of physicians. ❋ Moses Stuart (1816)

_I often had been often_ F1. _often had been_ (om. ❋ William Shakespeare (1590)

Giving a name to difficult problems that are poorly understood provides a kind of false comfort, but the label often doesn’t really add to the understanding and may carry risks of its own — especially unnecessary treatment, stigma and wasted resources. ❋ Allen Frances (2012)

I think we can be a force multiplied, which is a term often used by law enforcement, where private industry serves as additional eyes and ears to help authorities to uncover these activities to protect the public, Frantz said. ❋ Unknown (2011)

«Entrepreneur» is a term often used, but seldom defined. ❋ Ashley Lenihan (2011)

«Enemies of peace» is a term often used by the Afghan government to describe the Taliban and other insurgents. ❋ Reuters (2011)

«China was liberated 60 years ago,» wrote one Weibo user, borrowing a term often used by the government to describe the Communist Party’s rise to power. ❋ Brian Spegele (2011)

According to state media, he told executives that Internet companies should «step up the application and management of new technology, and absolutely put an end» to «fake and misleading information,» a term often to mean information not approved by Chinese authorities. ❋ Loretta Chao (2011)

Since then, Chinese Internet companies have announced efforts to crack down on «rumors»—a term often understood to mean information that the Communist Party finds undesirable—while city governments are enacting new rules that would require users of Twitter-like microblogs and other services to register their real names with the companies before posting. ❋ Carlos Tejada (2012)

Use of the word “idol” recalled the term often applied to the Shah, who was taghout—an infidel or idol worshipper. ❋ Scott Peterson (2010)

Simple-minded is a term often used to refer to someone who is not very intelligent. ❋ Linda P. Kozar (2009)

Wool/synthetic blends the percentage of each fiber will be noted on the label often combine beauty with comfort, serviceability, and economy. ❋ CHERYL MENDELSON (2005)

The term often is treated incorrectly as a synonym for the consumer price index, which does not take taxes into account and measures only price changes, keeping the quantities constant over time. ❋ PAUL R. MARTIN (2002)

Person A: How off-ten do you read?
Person B: Apparently you read too much, since it is «often«, not «off-ten»!
Person B: (writes «listen» on [a piece] of paper) How to you [pronounce] this word?
A: Listen. it has a [silent T].
B: Then why do you pronounce it in «often«? ❋ Urine Corporation (2013)

Until I was 4 months away from my 7th birthday, I often couldn’t strip of my [boxer] [brief] [undies]! ❋ Turo Fernandez (2020)

A: How often do you [check] [pronunciation] dictionaries?
B: Not very often.
A: You should do it [oftener]. ❋ Sil86 (2013)

For example: If someone likes fine [mousse] then the person wants to [eat it] [oftener] (more often) ❋ FineSemolina (2019)

The [oftenity] in which I [brush my teeth] is insane; I’m surprised i even have any [enamel] left ❋ Pope Londs (2013)

[I like] [to masturbate] early and often! ❋ Eda-skip (2022)

[I like] to [whack off] early and often! ❋ Eda-skip (2022)

He’s [pissed them off] [once too often], they’re going to put the fucker on [crutches]. ❋ AKACroatalin (2016)

Ryan: [HAHAHAHAHA]
[Aaren]: [hahahahaha]..
Alan: hahaha……….
….Scott: So.. you come here often? ❋ Ryan=pro (2005)

Henry: [Jeffry], [that woman] you are marrying has a penis
Jeffry: [I’m confused]!!! ❋ Hahaha (2003)

of·ten

 (ô′fən, ŏf′ən, ôf′tən, ŏf′-)

adv. of·ten·er, of·ten·est

Many times; frequently.


[Middle English, alteration (probably influenced by selden, seldom) of oft, from Old English; see upo in Indo-European roots.]

Usage Note: The pronunciation of often with a (t) is a classic example of what is known as a spelling pronunciation. During the 1500s and 1600s, English experienced a widespread loss of certain consonant sounds within consonant clusters, as the (d) in handsome and handkerchief, the (p) in consumption and raspberry, and the (t) in chestnut and often. In this way the consonant clusters were simplified and made easier to articulate. But with the rise of public education and literacy in the 1800s, people became more aware of spelling, and sounds that had become silent were sometimes restored. This is the case with the (t) in often, which is acceptably pronounced with or without the (t). In similar words, such as soften and listen, the t has generally remained silent.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

often

(ˈɒfən; ˈɒftən)

adv

1. frequently or repeatedly; much of the time. Also (archaic or US): oftentimes (archaic): ofttimes

2. as often as not quite frequently

3. every so often at intervals

4. more often than not in more than half the instances

adj

archaic repeated; frequent

[C14: variant of oft before vowels and h]

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

of•ten

(ˈɔ fən, ˈɒf ən; ˈɔf tən, ˈɒf-)

adv.

1. many times; frequently.

2. in many cases.

adj.

3. Archaic. frequent.

[1300–50; Middle English; variant (before vowels) of ofte oft]

syn: often, frequently, generally, usually refer to experiences that are habitual or customary. often and frequently are used interchangeably in most cases, but often implies numerous repetitions: We often go there; whereas frequently suggests repetition at comparatively short intervals: It happens frequently. generally emphasizes a broad or nearly universal quality: It is generally understood. He is generally liked. usually emphasizes time, and means in numerous instances: We usually have hot summers.

Random House Kernerman Webster’s College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

often

If something happens often, it happens many times.

1. position in clause

  • If there is no auxiliary verb, you put often in front of the verb, unless the verb is be. If the verb is be, you put often after it.

We often get very cold winters here.

They were often hungry.

  • If there is an auxiliary verb, you put often after it.

She has often written about human rights.

  • If there is more than one auxiliary verb, you put often after the first one.

The idea had often been discussed.

  • If a sentence is fairly short, you can put often at the end of it.

He’s in London often.

  • In writing, often is sometimes put at the beginning of a long sentence.

Often in the evening the little girl would be sitting at my knee while I held the baby.

Be Careful!
Don’t use ‘often’ to talk about something that happens several times within a short period of time. Don’t say, for example, ‘I often phoned her yesterday‘. You say ‘I phoned her several times yesterday’ or ‘I kept phoning her yesterday’.

That fear was expressed several times last week.

Rather than correct her, I kept trying to change the subject.

2. other uses of ‘often’

You use often with how when you are asking about the number of times that something happens or happened.

How often do you need to weigh the baby?

How often have you done this programme?

Often can also be used for saying that something is done just once by many people, or that something is true about many people.

People often asked me why I didn’t ride more during the trip.

Older people often catch this disease.

Collins COBUILD English Usage © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 2004, 2011, 2012

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Adv. 1. often — many times at short intervals; «we often met over a cup of coffee»
2. often — frequently or in great quantities; «I don’t drink much»; «I don’t travel much»
3. often — in many cases or instances

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

often

adverb frequently, much, generally, commonly, repeatedly, again and again, very often, oft (archaic or poetic), over and over again, time and again, habitually, time after time, customarily, oftentimes (archaic), not infrequently, many a time, ofttimes (archaic), ofN (S.M.S.) We often spend our holidays at home. I don’t get out often.
never, rarely, occasionally, seldom, scarcely, now and then, irregularly, infrequently, hardly ever

Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

often

adverb

In an expected or customary manner; for the most part:

commonly, consistently, customarily, frequently, generally, habitually, naturally, normally, regularly, routinely, typically, usually.

The American Heritage® Roget’s Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Translations

často

ofte

ofte

usein

अक्सर

često

gyakran

oft

しばしば

자주

dažnaikai kada

bieži

pogosto

ofta

บ่อย

اکثر

thường xuyên

often

[ˈɒfən] ADVa menudo, con frecuencia, seguido (LAm)
I’ve often wondered why you turned the job downme he preguntado muchas veces or a menudo or con frecuencia por qué no aceptaste el trabajo
it’s not often that I ask you to help meno es frecuente que te pida ayuda
we often meet heresolemos reunirnos aquí
do you often argue?¿discutís mucho?, ¿discutís muy a menudo?
we visit her as often as possiblela visitamos tanto como nos es posible
twice as often asdos veces más que
women consult doctors twice as often as menlas mujeres consultan a un médico dos veces más que los hombres
as often as notla mitad de las veces
every so often (of time) → de vez en cuando; (of distance, spacing) → de trecho en trecho, cada cierta distancia
we see each other every so oftennos vemos de vez en cuandonos vemos alguna que otra vez
how often? (= how many times) → ¿con qué frecuencia?; (= at what intervals) → ¿cada cuánto?
how often do you see him?¿cada cuánto lo ves?¿con qué or cuánta frecuencia lo ves?
how often have I warned you that this would happen?¿cuántas veces te he advertido de que iba a pasar esto?
how often she had asked herself that very question!¡cuántas veces se había hecho esa misma pregunta!
he saw her less often now that she had a jobla veía con menos frecuencia ahora que tenía un trabajo
more often than notla mayoría de las veces, las más de las veces
he’s read it so often he knows it off by heartlo ha leído tantas veces que se lo sabe de memoria
(all) too oftencon demasiada frecuencia, demasiado a menudo, demasiadas veces
you’ve been drunk on duty once too oftenha estado borracho una y otra vez estando de servicio
very oftenmuchísimas veces, muy a menudo

OFTEN

In statements

 When often means «on many occasions», you can usually translate it using con frecuencia or a menudo:

He often came to my house Venía con frecuencia or a menudo a mi casa She doesn’t often get angry No se enfada con frecuencia or a menudo You are late too often Llegas tarde con demasiada frecuencia or demasiado a menudo

 In informal contexts, particularly when often can be substituted by a lot or much with no change of meaning, mucho is an alternative translation:

He doesn’t often come to see me No viene mucho a verme He often hangs out in this bar Para mucho en este bar

 Muchas veces is another possible translation, but it should be used with the present only if the time, place or activity is restricted in some way:

I’ve often heard him talk about the need for this law Le he oído muchas veces hablar de la necesidad de esta ley It can often be difficult to discuss this subject with one’s partner Muchas veces es difícil hablar con la pareja sobre este tema

 When often describes a predictable, habitual or regular action, you can often translate it using the present or imperfect of soler as applicable:

In England it is often cold in winter En Inglaterra suele hacer frío en invierno I often have a glass of sherry before dinner Suelo tomar un jerez antes de cenar We often went out for a walk in the evening Solíamos salir por la tarde a dar un paseo

 Use soler also when often means «in many cases»:

This heart condition is often very serious Esta enfermedad cardíaca suele ser muy grave
In questions

 You can usually use con frecuencia in questions, though there are other possibilities:

How often do you go to Madrid? ¿Con qué frecuencia vas a Madrid? Do you often go to Spain? ¿Vas a España con frecuencia?, ¿Vas a menudo or mucho a España?

Collins Spanish Dictionary — Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995

often

(ˈofn) adverb

many times. I often go to the theatre; I should see him more often.

every so often

sometimes; occasionally. I meet him at the club every so often.

Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.

often

كَثِيراً مَا často ofte oft συχνά a menudo usein souvent često spesso しばしば 자주 vaak ofte często frequentemente часто ofta บ่อย sıklıkla thường xuyên 经常

Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009

often

adv. con frecuencia, frecuentemente, a menudo;

how ___ ?¿Cuántas veces?;

as ___ as neededtantas veces como sea necesario;

not ___pocas veces;

too ___demasiadas veces.

English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

  • How often are the buses to …?

Collins Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009

often

adv a menudo, frecuentemente; How often do you have chest pain?..¿Con qué frecuencia le duele el pecho? ..¿Cada cuánto le duele el pecho?

English-Spanish/Spanish-English Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

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WordReference Random House Learner’s Dictionary of American English © 2023

of•ten /ˈɔfən, ˈɑfən; ˈɔftən, ˈɑf-/USA pronunciation  
adv. 

  1. many times;
    frequently;
    on numerous occasions:I’ve been to their home often.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2023

of•ten 
fən, ofən; ôftən, of-),USA pronunciation adv. 

  1. many times;
    frequently:He visits his parents as often as he can.
  2. in many cases.

adj.

  1. [Archaic.]frequent.
  • Middle English oftin, variant before vowels of ofte oft 1300–50

often•ness, n. 

    • 1, 2.See corresponding entry in Unabridged repeatedly, customarily.
      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 esp. 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.


    • 1, 2.See corresponding entry in Unabridged seldom.


    Often was pronounced with a t-sound until the 17th century, when a pronunciation without the
    (t)USA pronunciation 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)USA pronunciation for many speakers, and today
    fən)USA pronunciation and
    (ôftən)USA pronunciation [or
    (ofən)USA pronunciation and
    (oftən)USA pronunciation ] exist side by side. Although it is still sometimes criticized, often with a
    (t)USA pronunciation is now so widely heard from educated speakers that it has become fully standard once again.


Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

often /ˈɒfən; ˈɒftən/ adv

  1. frequently or repeatedly; much of the time
    Archaic equivalents: oftentimes, ofttimes
  2. as often as notquite frequently
  3. every so oftenat intervals
  4. more often than notin more than half the instances

adj

  1. archaic repeated; frequent

Etymology: 14th Century: variant of oft before vowels and h

often‘ also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):

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