now and then

ADVERB

once in a while

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 not often off and on on occasion once and again once in a blue moon once in a while once or twice sometimes

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.

Given some of the similarities between now and then, there’s a growing worry that the stocks may again suffer the same fate.

From MarketWatch • May 15, 2026

Should the stock decline between now and then, the money spent on the call would be lost, but that wouldn’t be so bad because you sold the stock position at a high price.

From Barron's • Apr. 29, 2026

Every now and then sea lions try to colonize the docks used by boaters.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 26, 2026

But now and then, something slips through the cracks, something that can’t be sanitized or ignored, no matter how much money or editing goes into it.

From Salon • Apr. 25, 2026

Like him, I’d seen screechers digging near blue willow roots now and then.

From "Willodeen" by Katherine Applegate

now and then

Example Sentences

Related Words