often

comparative more often · comparative oftener · superlative most often · superlative oftenest

1. Frequently; many times on different occasions.

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

   5 more examples

   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.

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

   1791, John Walker, A Critical Pronouncing Dictionary […] , London: Sold by G. G. J. and J. Robinſon, Paternoſter Row; and T. Cadell, in the Strand, →OCLC, page 557

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

   1850, T. S. Arthur, “A Rise in the Butter Market”, in Sketches of Life and Character, Philadelphia: J. W. Bradley, →OCLC, page 59

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

   1912, P. Chalmers Mitchell, “Larvæ and Metamorphoses”, in The Childhood of Animals, New York: Frederick A. Stokes Company, →OCLC, page 17

   Synonyms: a lot, oftentimes, typically, a lot, feelefold, frequently, manifold, manyfold · Antonyms: infrequently, occasionally, rarely, seldom, unoften, rarely, seldom, infrequently

comparative more often · superlative most often

1. archaicFrequent.

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

   1656, John Bunyan, chapter 48, in Solomon’s Temple Spiritualiz’d, London: George Larkin, published 1688, page 113

   2 more examples

   […] 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.

   c. 1598–1600 (date written), William Shakespeare, “As You Like It”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene i]

   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.