often
Americanadverb
-
many times; frequently.
He visits his parents as often as he can.
- Synonyms:
- customarily, repeatedly
- Antonyms:
- seldom
-
in many cases.
- Synonyms:
- customarily, repeatedly
- Antonyms:
- seldom
adjective
adverb
-
Archaic equivalents: oftentimes. ofttimes. frequently or repeatedly; much of the time
-
quite frequently
-
at intervals
-
in more than half the instances
adjective
Pronunciation
Often was pronounced with a t -sound until the 17th century, when a pronunciation without the came to predominate in the speech of the educated, in both North America and Great Britain, and the earlier pronunciation fell into disfavor. Common use of a spelling pronunciation has since restored the for many speakers, and today and [or and ] exist side by side. Although it is still sometimes criticized, often with a is now so widely heard from educated speakers that it has become fully standard once again.
Synonym Usage
Often, frequently, generally, usually refer to experiences that are customary. Often and frequently may be used interchangeably in most cases, but often implies numerous repetitions and, sometimes, regularity of recurrence: We often go there; frequently suggests especially repetition at comparatively short intervals: It happens frequently. Generally refers to place and means universally: It is generally understood. He is generally liked; but it is often used as a colloquial substitute for usually. In this sense, generally, like usually, refers to time, and means in numerous instances. Generally, however, extends in range from the merely numerous to a majority of possible instances; whereas usually means practically always: The train is generally on time. We usually have hot summers.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of often
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English oftin, variant before vowels of ofte ; see oft
Explanation
Often means "frequently," like if you see your friends every day, you see each other often. The adverb often can mean "in great quantities," like you often stop by the donut shop, you might be shocked to realize you've been there hundreds of times in the last few years. Often can also mean "in many cases or instances." When a student starts to study more and get more serious about learning, it often leads to better grades.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
These clusters attach to mitochondria, the structures often referred to as the "powerhouses" of cells, and interfere with their function.
From Science Daily • Jun. 8, 2026
Asset managers often use the loans to help portfolio companies expand.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026
"Supply teachers are quite often going to classes in which they are not specialists, and they can't provide that knowledge and understanding that a subject specialist would," she said.
From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026
The world's poorest countries, such as in sub-Saharan Africa, often still have high birth rates, but middle-income countries like India and Brazil also face a fast-dropping fertility rates.
From Barron's • Jun. 8, 2026
He leaned against the steering wheel, whistling, listening to the local radio as it called out bingo numbers—he was one of the few band members who didn’t play often.
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
