now and then

adverb

: from time to time : occasionally

now and then we go off to the country

Synonyms of now and then

• sometimes
• occasionally
• from time to time

Examples of now and then in a Sentence

we do go to the library now and then, but not as often as we should

Recent Examples on the Web

Every now and then, chaos gets the upper hand. — Ew Staff, Entertainment Weekly, 25 June 2026

But also, there is no shame in taking a shortcut in the kitchen now and then. — Riley Wofford, Martha Stewart, 1 July 2026

After all, some of your friends might not be feverish fútbol fans like yourself — their eyes may drift from the pitch battle every now and then. — Rod Stafford Hagwood, Sun Sentinel, 16 June 2026

Campos still plays now and then, in charity games and exhibition matches. — Jack Lang, New York Times, 5 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for now and then

• businessmen
• councilmen
• henequen
• julienne
• madeleine
• middlemen
• minutemen
• motormen
• patrolmen
• repairmen
• saracen
• signalmen