often

Pronunciation

• IPA: UK /ˈɒf.ᵊn/, /ˈɒf.tᵊn/, US /ˈɑː.fᵊn/, /ˈɑːf.tᵊn/^[1]

Etymology

It is inherited from Middle English often, an extended form of oft,^[2][3][4] probably influenced by its opposite, Middle English selden (“seldom”).^[2][3][5][6] RHWU and Etymonline note that the Middle English form was used mainly before vowels.^[7][2]

Earliest recorded meaning

Many times, frequently: about 1250, in The Story of Genesis and Exodus.^[3][2]

Semantic evolution

The early examples seem to be from the north of England, and the word became general in the 16th century,^[8] when it replaced oft in common use.^[2] From 1450 to 1530 it was also used as an adjective, “frequent”.^[9] The pronunciation without t is recorded from the 15th century.^[2] The phrases as often as not and more often than not are recorded from 1911.^[9]

Timeline

• c. 1250 – often (Genesis and Exodus).^[3]
• 15th century – pronounced without t.^[2]
• 1450–1530 – adjective, frequent.^[9]
• 16th century – replaces oft.^[2][8]
• 1911 – as often as not.^[9]

Modern meaning

Adverb

1. Many times; frequently.
2. In many cases.

Word family

• oftenness

Related words

• oft
• oftentimes
• seldom

Usage notes

The Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary notes that the pronunciation with /t/ is sometimes called a spelling pronunciation, but there is no evidence that it is new.^[1] RHWU explains that often and frequently are mostly interchangeable, though often suggests many repetitions and frequently repetition at short intervals.^[7]

References

1. ^ a b Jones, Daniel (2011), Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary, 18th ed., ed. Peter Roach, Jane Setter and John Esling, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
2. ^ a b c d e f g h Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
3. ^ a b c d Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
4. ^ The Chambers Dictionary (2008), 11th ed., Edinburgh: Chambers Harrap
5. ^ Soanes, Catherine; Stevenson, Angus, eds. (2004), Concise Oxford English Dictionary, 11th ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
6. ^ Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles (2002), 5th ed., ed. William R. Trumble and Angus Stevenson, Oxford: Oxford University Press
7. ^ a b Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (1999), 2nd ed., New York: Random House
8. ^ a b Pearsall, Judy, ed. (1998), The New Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford: Clarendon Press
9. ^ a b c d Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press