Often Meaning

UK /ˈɒf.ən/
US /ˈɔːf.ən/
Word Definition
often meaning

Often Definition & Usage

adverb

Indicating that something occurs frequently or at regular intervals.

Examples

  • "I often visit my grandparents on the weekend."
  • "She often travels for work and spends a lot of time abroad."
  • "We often go to the park when the weather is nice."
  • "They often have meetings to discuss progress on the project."
  • "He often forgets to turn off the lights before leaving."
adverb

Used to emphasize a habit or a recurring event.

Examples

  • "I often find myself thinking about the past."
  • "She often tells me stories about her childhood."
  • "We often get together for dinner, but not always."
  • "He often practices his guitar late at night."
  • "I often catch myself daydreaming during meetings."

Cultural Context

'Often' is one of the most commonly used adverbs in the English language, particularly useful for describing routines, habits, or events that occur with regularity. Its use is widespread in both formal and informal contexts.

The Habit of Time

Story

The Habit of Time

Anna had always been a creature of habit. She often woke up early, even on weekends, to take a walk in the park before starting her day. It was something she found peaceful and necessary, a way to clear her mind before the chaos of work. One morning, as she strolled along the familiar path, she bumped into her old friend, Mark, who she hadn't seen in years. 'Anna?' Mark's voice caught her attention. 'Mark! What are you doing here?' Anna exclaimed, her surprise evident. Mark smiled and shrugged. 'I often walk this path, but lately, I’ve been working from home. Just trying to get some fresh air.' The two quickly fell into conversation, discussing old times and catching up on what had changed. 'I often think back to the days when we used to hang out all the time,' Anna said, her voice tinged with nostalgia. 'Me too,' Mark agreed, his tone thoughtful. 'We should meet more often.' Their conversation turned toward work. Mark mentioned that he often had to attend meetings at strange hours due to time zone differences. Anna laughed. 'Sounds exhausting! I often find myself staying up late, especially when I'm trying to finish projects.' Before they knew it, the morning had passed, and the sun was climbing higher. As they parted ways, Anna felt a sense of warmth and connection, having rekindled an old friendship. 'Let’s do this again soon,' Mark said. 'Definitely,' Anna agreed, feeling grateful for the serendipitous encounter. She often took these morning walks, but this time, it had led her to an unexpected, yet delightful, reunion. The word 'often' was woven throughout the story, describing both habitual actions like Anna's daily walk and more recurring events like Mark's frequent meetings or their tendency to think back to past moments. It emphasized the regularity with which certain things happened, yet without suggesting that they were constant or without variation. By using 'often', the story highlighted moments of both routine and serendipity that shaped the characters' lives.

The Habit of Time