off and on

adverb

Synonyms of off and onnext
: 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
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 rain will become more scattered in the evening and will continue off and on overnight. Kenton Gewecke, ABC News, 16 Feb. 2026 Lindor felt soreness in that area off and on in the past, but the pain earlier this week prompted a visit with a specialist, who recommended surgery. Will Sammon, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026 Berlingeri and Bad Bunny dated off and on from 2017 to 2022, according to Page Six, but remained on good terms. Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 9 Feb. 2026 The far-right politician is suddenly distancing himself from an American president who, off and on over the last year, has made aggressive plays to annex Greenland, targeting Danish borders that have existed for roughly 300 years. Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for off and on

Word History

First Known Use

1535, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of off and on was in 1535

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Cite this Entry

“Off and on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/off%20and%20on. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.

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