not often

ADVERB

from time to time

Synonyms

WEAK

ever so often every now and then every once in a while infrequently now and again occasionally once and again once in a while periodically sometimes sporadically

ADVERB

hardly

Synonyms

STRONGEST

barely comparatively practically rarely seldom simply somewhat

STRONG

just

WEAK

almost inconceivably almost not by a hair by no means detectably faintly gradually imperceptibly infrequently little no more than no way not a bit not at all not by much not likely not markedly not measurably not much not notably not noticeably not quite once in a blue moon only only just perceptibly pretty near scantly slightly sparsely sporadically with trouble

Antonyms

STRONGEST

frequently

WEAK

very

ADVERB

little

Synonyms

STRONGEST

a little barely hardly rarely seldom

WEAK

hardly ever not many not quite only just scarcely somewhat

Antonyms

STRONGEST

frequently

WEAK

more much

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 every once in a while from time to time hardly irregularly 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 irregular intervals fluctuating hardly infrequently intermittent irregularly on and off scarcely sometimes sporadically vacillating variable very seldom when the mood strikes

ADVERB

on and off

Synonyms

WEAK

alternately at irregular intervals fluctuating inconstantly infrequently intermittently irregularly now and then off and on sometimes sporadically uncertainly variable very seldom when the mood strikes

ADVERB

seldom

Synonyms

STRONGEST

a few times hardly occasionally rarely scarcely sometimes sporadically

WEAK

every now and then from time to time hardly ever in a few cases inhabitually irregularly little not very often on and off once in a blue moon once in a while scarcely ever semioccasionally uncommonly unoften unusually whimsically

Antonyms

STRONGEST

frequently regularly

WEAK

often usually

ADVERB

uncommonly

Synonyms

STRONGEST

exceptionally extremely remarkably strangely unusually

WEAK

extra hardly ever in few instances irregularly now and then occasionally oddly on occasion particularly peculiarly rarely scarcely ever seldom sporadically very

Antonyms

STRONGEST

normally usually

WEAK

commonly frequently

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:

not often

“It’s not often you see that,” said Universal president of domestic distribution Jim Orr.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 19, 2026

To be generous: That advice was not often heeded.

From Slate ● Jul. 14, 2026

It is not often that the fallout from UK local elections make international headlines.

From BBC ● May 12, 2026

Reed was capable of this kind of transformation whenever he was inspired by greatness, which was often, though as any reviewer can attest, not often enough.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 12, 2026

It was not often that Father took time off from the zoo, but one of the times he did we went to Munnar, just over in Kerala.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel

not often

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Related Words