often

adverb

: many times : frequently
are often puzzled and sometimes annoyed by the ways of other peoplesW. A. Parker

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 South Korea’s topography means that livestock is often raised in crowded factory farms, which contributes to air and water pollution, said Park Jong-moo, a bioethics expert and veterinarian. Min Joo Kim, Washington Post, 1 Apr. 2024 The fees for evacuation are often exorbitant sums ranging from $6,000 to $12,000 per person, and those looking to flee must also navigate scammers and misinformation with no guarantee of success, according to sources who spoke with TIME, as well as recent media reports. TIME, 25 Mar. 2024 Living on the water is an old form of ingenuity, one that has often been driven by necessity. Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024 Ohtani, who doesn’t speak often with reporters, has not spoken publicly since Mizuhara’s firing. Raja Razek, CNN, 25 Mar. 2024 Despite the longer-lasting symptoms, Dr. Landau often likens chemo’s effects on the body to a severe case of the flu (albeit a really long one). Julia Sullivan, SELF, 25 Mar. 2024 And much of the broader research and dialogue around how children learn to read, often referred to as the science of reading, often leaves out the science of how African American English speakers learn to read, Holt said. Lily Altavena, Detroit Free Press, 25 Mar. 2024 These impart an astringent taste—described as bitter or dry—that is often characteristic of red wine.4 However, for some people, the tannins in tea can cause headaches. Lauren Manaker Ms, Rdn, Health, 13 Mar. 2024 Members of Congress have long been critical of tech platforms and their expansive influence, often clashing with executives over industry practices. Kevin Freking, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'often.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near often

Cite this Entry

“Often.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/often. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

often

adverb
: many times : frequently

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