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

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

Chappell and Sabatino’s on-screen characters, Carly Manning and Lawrence Alamain, had a wild on-again, off-again romance that eventually led to the birth of their characters’ son Nicholas (played by several actors). — Christina Dugan Ramirez, PEOPLE, 30 July 2026

Oil prices have swung dramatically over recent weeks in response to on-again, off-again fighting. — Max Zahn, ABC News, 29 July 2026

The character of Peyton Sawyer is introduced in season 1 as the on-again, off-again girlfriend of Nathan Scott (James Lafferty). — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 23 July 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