often — English Dictionary

Adverb

1. Frequently; many times on different occasions.

   Synonyms

   a lotoftentimestypically

   Antonyms

   infrequentlyoccasionallyrarelyseldomunoften

   Related words

   oft

   Examples

   I often walk to work.

   I often walk to work when the weather is nice.

   I’ve been going to the movies more often since a new theatre opened near me.

   More examples (5)

   It can't be said too often / often enough.

   ☞ This word [wrap] is often pronounced wrop, rhyming with top, even by ſpeakers much above the vulgar.

   How often is the comfort of a whole family abridged by some trifling circumstance, that ought not to have made a visible impression!

   Although frogs are able to swim well and often are found in water, they are really land animals.

   According to this saga of intellectual-property misanthropy, these creatures [patent trolls] roam the business world, buying up patents and then using them to demand extravagant payouts from companies they accuse of infringing them. Often, their victims pay up rather than face the costs of a legal battle.

Adjective

1. Frequent.

   Usage

   • Archaic

   Related words

   frequency

   Examples

   More examples (2)

   […] it is a melancholy of mine own, compounded of many simples, extracted from many objects, and, indeed, the sundry contemplation of my travels; in which my often rumination wraps me in a most humorous sadness.

   1618, Anthony Munday (translator), The Third Booke of Amadis de Gaule by Nicolas de Herberay des Essarts (1542), London, Chapter 2, p. 18, Then came the Ladies to visite him, and the Queene gaue him most gracious welcome, desiring him to be of good cheere: For heere is my Daughter (quoth she) right skilfull in the Art of Chirurgerie, that meanes to bee your often visitant.

   The Shew-bread by an often remove, and renewing, was continually to stand before the Lord in his House […]

Adverb

1. many times at short intervals

   Synonyms

   frequentlyoftentimesoftofttimes

   Antonyms

   rarely

   Examples

   we often met over a cup of coffee

2. frequently or in great quantities

   Synonyms

   mucha great deal

   Examples

   I don't drink much

   I don't travel much

3. in many cases or instances