oft

[ awft, oft ]

adverb

, Literary.

1. often.

oft

¹

/ ɒft /

adverb

1. short for often (archaic or poetic except in combinations such as oft-repeated and oft-recurring )

OFT

²

abbreviation for

1. Office of Fair Trading

Word History and Origins

Origin of oft¹

before 900; Middle English oft ( e ), Old English oft; cognate with Old Frisian ofta, Old Saxon oft ( o ), German oft, Old Norse opt

Word History and Origins

Origin of oft¹

Old English oft; related to Old High German ofto

Example Sentences

Drew Barrymore is oft acknowledged as being a likable, endearing celebrity who we've watched on screen since her childhood roles in various classic movies, but her talk show hosting and interviewing style has often been joked about or called into question, with some even describing it as "cringey."

From Salon

Speaking to the oft aforementioned nostalgia, chef Michael Connell or Ruse also said that "one of my favorite desserts growing up was the watermelon roll from Friendly’s, my favorite restaurant growing up. My mom always bought them whenever we had birthday parties."

From Salon

The lawyers and plaintiffs who are attempting to hurl into the fire Trump’s oft- and baldly stated belief that he is above the law.

From Los Angeles Times

Oft, those boos at Tannadice were quite something.

From BBC

That’s one reason that the reputations of most presidents improve after they leave office: Contrary to Shakespeare, it’s the evil men do that’s “oft interred with their bones.”

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• a great deal
• considerably
• exceptionally
• extremely
• frequently
• highly
• indeed
• often
• regularly
• very