Definitions

once in a blue moon

[wuhns in uh bloo moon] / ˈwʌns ɪn ə ˈblu ˈmun /

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hardly adv.
now and then adv.
occasionally adv.
on and off adv.
once in a while adv.
seldom adv.
sometimes adv.
sporadically adv.

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 often not quite only only just perceptibly pretty near scantly slightly sparsely sporadically with trouble

Antonyms

STRONGEST

frequently

WEAK

very

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

ADVERB

occasionally

Synonyms

STRONGEST

hardly infrequently periodically seldom sometimes sporadically

WEAK

at intervals at random at times every so often from time to time irregularly now and again on occasion once in a while once or twice uncommonly

Antonyms

WEAK

always constantly frequently regularly steadily usually

ADVERB

on and off

Synonyms

WEAK

at intervals at times discontinuously every now and then every once in a while every so often from time to time hardly infrequently intermittently irregularly now and again now and then occasionally off and on on occasion once in a while periodically sometimes sporadically

ADVERB

once in a while

Synonyms

WEAK

at intervals at times every now and then every so often from time to time hardly infrequently irregularly now and again on occasion periodically rarely seldom sometimes sporadically

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 often not very often on and off once in a while scarcely ever semioccasionally uncommonly unoften unusually whimsically

Antonyms

STRONGEST

frequently regularly

WEAK

often usually

ADVERB

sometimes

Synonyms

STRONGEST

consistently constantly frequently occasionally

WEAK

at intervals at times ever and again every so often from time to time here and there intermittently now and again now and then off and on on occasion once in a while periodically recurrently

Antonyms

WEAK

never

ADVERB

sporadically

Synonyms

STRONGEST

intermittently now and then occasionally rarely seldom sparingly

WEAK

hardly hardly ever little not regularly scarcely uncommonly unusually

Antonyms

STRONGEST

frequently regularly usually

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:

once in a blue moon

Every once in a blue moon, our youngest daughter Amma has a Sunday soccer game; in that case, you’ll find me on the sidelines at her game.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 11, 2024

As blue moons are not that common, it's thought where the phrase "once in a blue moon" comes from.

From BBC ● Aug. 19, 2024

But, original stories about Asian-centric nightmares, myths and legends are showcased only once in a blue moon.

From Salon ● Sep. 28, 2023

“I drive that car maybe once in a blue moon and I loved that car.”

From Washington Times ● May 22, 2023

With the flour and oil she got from trading eggs, Miss Maggie baked bread that made me happier than if I’d had cake, which I tasted only once in a blue moon.

From "Beyond the Bright Sea" by Lauren Wolk

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