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.

"As long as he was alive, I was going to be alive. Every now and then I was touching his nose for proof that he was still breathing," she said.

From BBC • Jun. 29, 2026

As the process unfolds, oil will probably jump from now and then, which would send oil stocks higher.

From Barron's • Jun. 24, 2026

Phil guest conductor while rising to the top rungs of the international orchestral circuit, along with obtaining a commercial flying license and piloting, now and then, for Air France.

From Los Angeles Times • May 26, 2026

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

Parts of its blue-gray back broke the surface now and then, revealing its course as it swam into the distance.

From "The Boy Who Met a Whale" by Nizrana Farook

now and then

Example Sentences

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