every once in a while

Part of Speech:

All (6) Adjective (1) Adverb (5)

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periodic adj.
every now and then adv.
from time to time adv.
now and then adv.
off and on adv.
on and off adv.

ADJECTIVE

periodic

Synonyms

STRONGEST

annual intermittent monthly occasional recurrent recurring regular repeated routine seasonal sporadic weekly yearly

STRONG

periodical

WEAK

alternate at various times centennial cyclic cyclical daily epochal every so often fluctuating hourly infrequent isochronal isochronous on certain occasions on-again-off-again orbital perennial rhythmic serial spasmodic

Antonyms

STRONGEST

constant infrequent unusual

WEAK

continual irregular lasting permanent sporadic variable

ADVERB

every now and then

Synonyms

STRONGEST

every so often now and again now and then

WEAK

ever so often from time to time once and again once in a while sometimes

ADVERB

from time to time

Synonyms

WEAK

ever so often every now and then infrequently not often now and again occasionally once and again once in a while periodically sometimes sporadically

ADVERB

now and then

Synonyms

STRONGEST

every now and then every so often infrequently intermittently now and again occasionally periodically sporadically

WEAK

at intervals at times from time to time hardly irregularly not often off and on on occasion once and again once in a blue moon once in a while once or twice sometimes

ADVERB

off and on

Synonyms

WEAK

alternately at intervals at times every so often fluctuating from time to time irregularly now and then occasionally on occasion once in a while sometimes sporadically vacillating variably

ADVERB

on and off

Synonyms

WEAK

at intervals at times discontinuously every now and then every so often from time to time hardly infrequently intermittently irregularly now and again now and then occasionally off and on on occasion once in a blue moon once in a while periodically sometimes sporadically

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

every once in a while

"I think every once in a while that maybe I should sell my house," she says, but adds her property value has plummeted.

From Barron's ● Oct. 26, 2026

“We’re going to go through some pain, and every once in a while, an industry has to go through a little bit of pain to reset,” Stack said.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 27, 2026

But every once in a while, we get a little wink, an ounce of good luck, an unearned gift, a happy accident, and this recipe falls in that category.

From Salon ● Apr. 13, 2026

It’s unfashionable in many precincts to admit it, but the market for precious metals still sends useful signals every once in a while.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 26, 2026

I try not to think her missing break time with Isabella and me every once in a while is that big of a deal.

From "A Good Kind of Trouble" by Lisa Moore Ramée

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