oft
4 synonyms and 1 antonym for oft, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adv — Often; frequently. Now mostly literary or used in compound words.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use oft
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
oft-cited
oft-repeated
oft-quoted
Mostly seen today in literary writing or fused into compounds like "oft-cited" and "oft-repeated".
Etymology
From Old English oft, "often" — the older, shorter ancestor of the modern word "often".
Full origin of oft →Frequently asked questions
What does “oft” mean?
The word “oft” means often; frequently. Now mostly literary or used in compound words. In plain terms, an old-fashioned or poetic way of saying "often" — rarely used alone in modern speech.
How do you pronounce “oft”?
“Oft” is pronounced oft (/ɔft/ in IPA).
How do you use “oft” in a sentence?
Here is “oft” used in a sentence: “The poem speaks of a love oft remembered but never forgotten.”
What part of speech is “oft”?
“Oft” is an adverb.
Where does the word “oft” come from?
The word “oft” comes from Old English. From Old English oft, "often" — the older, shorter ancestor of the modern word "often".
Is “oft” a common word?
“Oft” is an uncommon word in modern English.
