often

The word “often” means frequently; many times. In plain terms, a word for how frequently something happens.

“Often” is pronounced O-fuhn (/ˈɔfən/ in IPA).

Here is “often” used in a sentence: “We often go for a walk after dinner.”

The opposite of “often” — its antonyms — are rarely, forever, occasionally, never and once.

“Often” is an adverb.

The word “often” comes from Middle English. From Middle English ofte, with an added "n" by analogy with "seldom" — both ultimately from an old Germanic root meaning "often".

“Often” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

Both describe how frequently something happens, but often means many times or regularly, while sometimes means only now and then, on certain occasions. If you often walk to work, it is your usual habit; if you sometimes walk, you do it occasionally. Often sits higher on the scale of frequency than sometimes.

The most common opposites are rarely and seldom, which mean not many times or hardly ever. Never is the absolute opposite, meaning at no time at all. So while often describes something happening frequently, rarely and seldom describe it happening very little, and never describes it not happening.

Traditionally the t in often is silent, so it sounds like 'off-en,' and this is still a widely accepted pronunciation. However, many speakers now sound the t, saying 'off-ten,' partly influenced by the spelling. Both are widely understood and considered correct, so either pronunciation is acceptable in everyday speech.

You might say 'I often visit my grandparents' to show you do it regularly, or 'it often rains here' to describe a frequent event. Often usually sits before the main verb or after the verb 'to be,' as in 'she is often late,' making it easy to place in a sentence.