not often

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from time to time adv.
hardly adv.
little adv.
now and then adv.
off-and-on adv.
on and off adv.
seldom adv.
uncommonly adv.

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.

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not often

It’s not often that somebody gets their real-estate license and becomes a Super Bowl champion within a year, but that’s exactly what Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Montorie Foster Jr. did.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 19, 2026

Earlier studies had not often included this type of objective measurement.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 5, 2026

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

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 19, 2026

Defenders may not often come in for the same lavish praise as Golden Boot contenders.

From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026

Because he lives across town, he is not often lucky enough to be at Maria Edelmira’s house when his mother phones.

From "Enrique's Journey" by Sonia Nazario

not often

Example Sentences

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