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

During and after their time on the show, the two were in an on-again, off-again relationship before splitting up for good in April 2025. — Francesca Gariano, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2026

Brian Hickerson, Panettiere's on-again, off-again boyfriend, and his brother Zach Hickerson were present at the scene of her death, according to a police report previously obtained by ABC News. — ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026

Trump's resumption of his illogical on-again, off-again trade war with our ally to the north has caused considerable economic concern in Canada, but has also activated a rush of resilience that Republicans in America can only dream of. — Chris Brennan, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026

And by the looks of the first photos (below), Emily seems to be jetting off to meet her on-again, off-again chef boyfriend Gabriel (Lucas Bravo), picking up where season five left off. — Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 26 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