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Definition of oftentimes

oftentimes

/ˈɔːf.tənˌtaɪmz/
of · ten · times
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oftentimes Lexical Profile

oftentimes Game Scores & Validity

• adverb

1

North American Frequently; on many occasions; in many instances.

Example

"Oftentimes, the simplest solution to an engineering problem turns out to be the most reliable one."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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Word Nuance & Usage

Although common in spoken and informal North American English, style guides often advise replacing 'oftentimes' with the simpler 'often' in formal or concise writing, as both words carry the exact same meaning.

• Nearby Words

offtrack
oft
often
oftentimes
ofttimes
ogeechee
ogle

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in Middle English as an alteration of 'ofttimes' (from Old English 'oft' meaning frequently and 'tima' meaning time), with the adverbial suffix '-s' added to indicate recurring occasions.

Cite this Entry

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