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now and then

adverb

: from time to time : occasionally
now and then we go off to the country

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The corridor was busy and Claire stayed near the wall, pausing every now and then to catch her breath. Literary Hub, 25 Nov. 2025 And then the little bit of it for us is just the subtle reminders every now and then during a game, just to touch the paint. Khobi Price, Oc Register, 24 Nov. 2025 Every now and then, the buyer gets a glimpse of that history. Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Nov. 2025 Does the fire within the base subside some between now and then? Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 15 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for now and then

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of now and then was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Now and then.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/now%20and%20then. Accessed 28 Nov. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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