often

adverb

: many times : frequently
… are often puzzled and sometimes annoyed by the ways of other peoples …W. 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
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.
Diane Brady is an award-winning business journalist and author who has interviewed newsmakers worldwide and often speaks about the global business landscape. Diane Brady, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2025 How often has Matthau played this character, the lovable slob? Literary Hub, 4 Nov. 2025 For example, drugs that are used to treat Alzheimer’s (such as Aricept) can lead to REM sleep behavior disorder, which can cause intense, often bad dreams and may even lead people to act out their dreams, Kushida says. Stacey Colino, Time, 3 Nov. 2025 Not that there’s a direct cause and effect between botched screens and not knowing where you’re supposed to line up shortly after them, but the point is that far too often this season, the Packers have looked disheveled or inept on offense, given their talent on that side of the ball. Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for often

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Often.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/often. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

often

adverb
: many times : frequently

More from Merriam-Webster on often

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