often

adverb

of·​ten ˈȯf-tən  ˈȯ-fən 

: many times : frequently

… are often puzzled and sometimes annoyed by the ways of other peoples …

—W. A. Parker

Synonyms of often

• frequently
• constantly
• repeatedly
• always

Examples of often in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

But even with 22 tracks to work with, the sound too often defaults to a similar muted backdrop, which blurs some of the less distinct songs together. — Molly Mary O’Brien, Pitchfork, 7 Oct. 2026

The remote wilderness of Patagonia can so often feel inaccessible to the casual visitor. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026

Kellermeyer is one of a number of companies referenced in lawsuits filed in recent months that accuse funds managed by some of Wall Street’s biggest names of inflating their marks, often to increase their own payouts. — Ellen Dimauro, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026

The path to closing the merger was often a rocky one and at times seemed likely to derail. — Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, alteration of oft

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing often

• all too often
• as often as not
• every so often
• more often than not

Rhymes for often

• boffin
• coffin
• offen
• soften

Kids Definition

often

adverb

of·​ten ˈȯ-fən  ˈȯf-tən 

: many times : frequently