often — ozdic

Definitions

adv

1

Frequently; many times on different occasions.

I often walk to work when the weather is nice.

I’ve been going to the movies more often since a new theatre opened near me.

adj

1

Frequent.

[…] it is a melancholy of mine own, compounded of many simples, extracted from many objects, and, indeed, the sundry contemplation of my travels; in which my often rumination wraps me in a most humorous sadness.

1618, Anthony Munday (translator), The Third Booke of Amadis de Gaule by Nicolas de Herberay des Essarts (1542), London, Chapter 2, p. 18, Then came the Ladies to visite him, and the Queene gaue him most gracious welcome, desiring him to be of good cheere: For heere is my Daughter (quoth she) right skilfull in the Art of Chirurgerie, that meanes to bee your often visitant.

Collocations

5

ADJ.

better, enough, new, plural, pretentious, rich, skeptical, used

Rich people are often pretentious about their expensive cars and designer clothes.

VERB + OFTEN

come, fearing, form, joking, remarks, said, show, trains

She often made joking remarks at meetings to lighten the mood.

OFTEN + NOUN

buses, case, misers, mother, museum, possession, refers, rumination

The museum often closes early on Mondays, so we always call ahead before visiting.

PREP.

about, in, since, than, with

People often argue about politics at dinner parties.

ADV.

quite, seriously

She quite often forgets to lock the door when she leaves in the morning.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

adverb — many times at short intervals

frequently
oftentimes
oft
ofttimes

adverb — frequently or in great quantities

much

Antonyms

Idioms & Phrases

more often than not

Usually; more than half the time; more likely to be the case than not to be the case.

Near-synonyms: commonly, frequently; usually; see also Thesaurus:usually

do you come here often

A common phrase for initiating conversation with a stranger, especially one for seeking romantic involvement.

proverbs often come in pairs

Alternative form of proverbs run in pairs.

as often as not

More or less half of the time; on many occasions but not always; frequently.

"[T]hese old people—there's no trusting them, Fred. . . . [Y]ou can't calculate upon 'em, and even then they deceive you just as often as not."

the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry

No matter how well a project is planned, accidents or misfortune can still occur.

But mouse, you are not alone, In proving foresight may be vain; The best laid schemes of mice and men go often askew And leave us nothing but grief and pain, For promised joy!

Example Bank

6

01

I often walk to work when the weather is nice.

Wiktionary

02

I’ve been going to the movies more often since a new theatre opened near me.

Wiktionary

03

It can't be said too often / often enough.

Wiktionary

04

[…] it is a melancholy of mine own, compounded of many simples, extracted from many objects, and, indeed, the sundry contemplation of my travels; in which my often rumination wraps me in a most humoro

Wiktionary

05

1618, Anthony Munday (translator), The Third Booke of Amadis de Gaule by Nicolas de Herberay des Essarts (1542), London, Chapter 2, p. 18, Then came the Ladies to visite him, and the Queene gaue him m

Wiktionary

06

The Shew-bread by an often remove, and renewing, was continually to stand before the Lord in his House […]

Wiktionary

Usage Notes

i Register

In some senses, often is marked as archaic. Watch for register when choosing this word.