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Definitions

off-and-on

ADVERB
every once in a while
Synonyms
WEAK
alternately at irregular intervals fluctuating hardly infrequently intermittent irregularly not often on and off scarcely sometimes sporadically vacillating variable very seldom when the mood strikes
off and on
ADVERB
intermittently
Synonyms
WEAK
alternately at intervals at times every once in a while every so often fluctuating from time to time irregularly now and then occasionally on occasion once in a while sometimes sporadically vacillating variably

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.

After frantic work in the garage, Mercedes managed to fix Russell's car by applying a series of default procedures such as switching the car off and on again and swapping out the steering wheel.

From BBC

I studied off and on with Sheila for a few years.

From The Wall Street Journal

Spiritualist friends wanted the powerful Maggie Fox to return to the séance table; and off and on, she did.

From Literature

Moira was there for me off and on as I tried to settle into a new life and stop the pattern of moving every couple years.

From Los Angeles Times

“This type of tremor came and went, off and on,” remembered Malone.

From Literature

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.