on-again, off-again

adjective

ˈȯn-ə-ˈgen-ˈȯf-ə-ˈgen 

: existing briefly and in an intermittent unpredictable way

on-again, off-again fads

Examples of on-again, off-again in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Revolution Wind, Connecticut’s on-again, off-again offshore wind energy project is on track for completion and could soon be delivering full power to homes across southern New England. — Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 7 Aug. 2026

The restaurant seemed to have operated in an on-again, off-again status for the past couple of months. — John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2026

Since his on-again, off-again relationship with Farago officially ended in 2021, Jowsey has been linked to a number of stars, including Georgia Hassarati, Jessica Vestal and Lucy Hale. — Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 2026

But oil prices have been turbulent this year, particularly since the on-again, off-again war in Iran started. — Hillary Jackson, CNBC, 2 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for on-again, off-again

• again
• airmen
• amen
• bullpen
• culmen
• flagmen
• gunmen
• lawmen
• oilmen
• playpen
• schoolmen
• tegmen