off and on

adverb

: with periodic cessation : intermittently

rained off and on all day

off-and-on adjective

They have an off-and-on relationship.

off-and-on work

Examples of off and on in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The character was originated in 2009 by Nathan Dean, who played him off and on through 2020, and returned in April for a three-month stint on the soap. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Aug. 2026

Robertson Property Group has been conducting renovations in the theater off and on for the past several years, but there is currently no prospective opening date. — Pat Saperstein, Variety, 21 July 2026

After all, this hip has bothered him off and on since the 2021 season. — Dan Hayes, New York Times, 7 July 2026

Pharis continued to get minor rashes, off and on, for the next four years. — Charles Trepany, USA Today, 2 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1535, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for off and on

• aileron
• antiphon
• autobahn
• carillon
• castellan
• celadon
• cephalon
• cynodon
• denouement
• deuteron
• echelon
• epsilon