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often - 6 dictionary results

of⋅ten

[aw-fuhn, of-uhn; awf-tuhn, of-]
–adverb
1. many times; frequently: He visits his parents as often as he can.
2. in many cases.
–adjective
3. Archaic. frequent.

Origin:
1300–50; ME oftin, var. before vowels of ofte oft


of⋅ten⋅ness, noun


1, 2. repeatedly, customarily. Often, frequently, generally, usually refer to experiences that are customary. Often and frequently may be used interchangeably in most cases, but often implies numerous repetitions and, sometimes, regularity of recurrence: We often go there; frequently suggests esp. repetition at comparatively short intervals: It happens frequently. Generally refers to place and means universally: It is generally understood. He is generally liked; but it is often used as a colloquial substitute for usually. In this sense, generally, like usually, refers to time, and means in numerous instances. Generally, however, extends in range from the merely numerous to a majority of possible instances; whereas usually means practically always: The train is generally on time. We usually have hot summers.


1, 2. seldom.


Often was pronounced with a t-sound until the 17th century, when a pronunciation without the[t] came to predominate in the speech of the educated, in both North America and Great Britain, and the earlier pronunciation fell into disfavor. Common use of a spelling pronunciation has since restored the[t] for many speakers, and today[aw-fuhn] and[awf-tuhn] [or[of-uhn] and[of-tuhn]] exist side by side. Although it is still sometimes criticized, often with a [t] is now so widely heard from educated speakers that it has become fully standard once again.
of·ten   (ô'fən, ŏf'ən, ôf'tən, ŏf'-)   
adv.   of·ten·er, of·ten·est
Many times; frequently.

[Middle English, alteration (probably influenced by selden, seldom) of oft, from Old English; see upo in Indo-European roots.]
Usage Note: During the 15th century English experienced a widespread loss of certain consonant sounds within consonant clusters, as the (d) in handsome and handkerchief, the (p) in consumption and raspberry, and the (t) in chestnut and often. In this way the consonant clusters were simplified and made easier to articulate. With the rise of public education and literacy and, consequently, people's awareness of spelling in the 19th century, sounds that had become silent sometimes were restored, as is the case with the t in often, which is now frequently pronounced. In other similar words, such as soften and listen, the t generally remains silent.

Often

Of`ten\, adv. [Compar. Oftener; superl. Oftenest.] [Formerly also ofte, fr. oft. See Oft., adv.] Frequently; many times; not seldom.

Often

Of"ten\, a. Frequent; common; repeated. [R.] "Thine often infirmities." --1 Tim. v. 23.

And weary thee with often welcomes. --Beau. & Fl.
Language Translation for : often
Spanish: a menudo, con frecuencia,
German: oft,
Japanese: しばしば

often 
c.1300, extended form of oft (q.v.), originally before vowels and h-, probably by infl. of M.E. selden "seldom." In common use from 16c., replacing oft. Extended form oftentimes is attested from c.1430.
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