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Definition of often

often

/ˈɔːf.ən/
of · ten
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often Lexical Profile

often Game Scores & Validity

• adverb

1

Frequently; many times; at short intervals.

Example

"She often visits the university library to conduct archival research."

2

In many cases; commonly or usually.

Example

"Novels from that historical period are often characterized by complex social commentary."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• adjective

1

(Archaic) Frequent; repeated; occurring many times.

Example

"The chronicler noted their often infirmities during the harsh winter months."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for often
Antonyms
View all antonyms for often

Word Nuance & Usage

Both pronunciations—with a silent 't' (/ˈɔːfən/) and with a pronounced 't' (/ˈɔːftən/)—are accepted in standard English, though the silent 't' remains slightly more favored in formal usage.

• Rhymes for often

• Nearby Words

offstage
offtrack
oft
often
oftentimes
ofttimes
ogeechee

Word Origin & Etymology

Evolved in Middle English as an extended form of the Old English adverb oft ('frequently'), likely acquiring the final -en by analogy with its opposite, selden (modern 'seldom').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Often. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/often
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