often

adverb

of·​ten ˈȯf-tən How to pronounce often (audio) ˈȯ-fən How to pronounce often (audio)
Synonyms of often
: many times : frequently
… are often puzzled and sometimes annoyed by the ways of other peoples …—W. A. Parker

Synonyms of often

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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.
At school, kids often spend little time outdoors — another thing essential for our health. — Kara Alaimo, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026 Reservations are limited and often book up before guests arrive, so ask the concierge to secure a table as soon as your stay is confirmed. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Aug. 2026 Even before this latest surge in interest, STEM majors — like physicists and biologists — often took computer science classes to learn how to code for data-heavy research. — ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026 Historically, firms fully embracing MSV, like General Electric, often delivered mediocre long-term results and faced decline. — Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026 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

Phrases Containing often

Rhymes for often

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Browse Nearby Words

oft
often
oftenness
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Cite this Entry

“Often.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/often. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of often for Spanish Speakers

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