Learn the meaning and correct usage of "often". Our guide provides clear grammar rules and real-world examples from authoritative sources to help you write with confidence. The meaning of OFTEN is many times : frequently.

Understanding the Context

How to use often in a sentence. Often is an adverb meaning ‘many times on different occasions’. Like many other short adverbs, we use it in front position, in mid position (between the subject and the main verb, or after the modal verb or first auxiliary verb, or after be as a main verb) or in end position: … Definition of often adverb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

Key Insights

You use how often to ask questions about frequency. You also use often in reported clauses and other statements to give information about the frequency of something. Adverb often (comparative more often or oftener, superlative most often or oftenest) Frequently; many times on different occasions. Often means "frequently," like if you see your friends every day, you see each other often. The adverb often can mean "in great quantities," like you often stop by the donut shop, you might be shocked to realize you've been there hundreds of times in the last few years.

Final Thoughts

Many times; frequently. [Middle English, alteration (probably influenced by selden, seldom) of oft, from Old English; see upo in Indo-European roots.] Usage Note: The pronunciation of often with a (t) is a classic example of what is known as a spelling pronunciation. OFTEN definition: many times; frequently. See examples of often used in a sentence. often, adv. & adj.

meanings, etymology, pronunciation and more in the Oxford English Dictionary