Gloss · Another word for · often

Another word for often.

Often says something keeps happening, not how or why. Choose by tone, and by whether it’s a habit.

In everyday speech

• a lotCasual; often, but looser.We eat out a lot on weekends.
• all the timeSo often it feels constant.My phone battery dies all the time.
• again and againOften, with a note of weariness.He told the same story again and again.

In formal writing

• frequentlyOften, in a more formal tone.Trains frequently run late on this line.
• commonlyOften, across many people or cases.The plant is commonly found near rivers.
• repeatedlyOften, and the same each time.She repeatedly asked the landlord to fix the heat.

By habit or routine

• regularlyOften, at a steady interval.He regularly visits his mother on Sundays.
• routinelyOften, as a normal part of things.Doctors routinely check blood pressure at every visit.
• habituallyOften, because it’s a habit.She habitually checks the locks twice before bed.

When to keep “often”

Keep often when the exact rate doesn’t matter; it’s short, plain, and fits anywhere.

In Gloss, every word comes with its near neighbours and a line on how they differ, so you can pick the exact one. For iPhone, free for three days.

More words to swap

another word for also · another word for think · another word for want · another word for need · another word for help · another word for show

Guides: Words to use instead of “very” · How to be more articulate