often

adverb

: many times : frequently
are often puzzled and sometimes annoyed by the ways of other peoplesW. A. Parker

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 These impart an astringent taste—described as bitter or dry—that is often characteristic of red wine.4 However, for some people, the tannins in tea can cause headaches. Lauren Manaker Ms, Rdn, Health, 13 Mar. 2024 Members of Congress have long been critical of tech platforms and their expansive influence, often clashing with executives over industry practices. Kevin Freking, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2024 Children and adolescents must take risks and fail—often—in environments in which failure is not very costly. Jonathan Haidt, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2024 The Illenium oeuvre, developed over his five studio albums, is cinematic, anthemic, often heavy and typically lyrically personal music that mulls deeper themes — love, heartbreak, rage — than standard dance refrains about putting your f–king hands up. Katie Bain, Billboard, 13 Mar. 2024 The industry has often overlooked the people who pour their hearts and souls into crafting these worlds. Jennifer Maas, Variety, 12 Mar. 2024 The region’s architecture spans from 17th- and 18th-century examples of Baroque architecture to traditional styles such as the masseria (fortified farmhouses, often converted into hotels) as well as those charming trulli in the Itria Valley. Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 12 Mar. 2024 In many surveys, convenience often ranks higher than quality on the list of a consumer’s top requirements. Craig Dunaway, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 There is often no new testimony, since a confirmation had already been held. David Lightman, Sacramento Bee, 1 Mar. 2024

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 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

often

adverb
: many times : frequently

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