Phrase guide

now and again

adv · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

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Pronunciation

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1

adv

Meaning 1

Synonym of occasionally, sometimes, intermittently.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, not-comparable

Examples

  • I still go swimming now and again, but not as often as when I was a child.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: every now and again, every now and then, now and then, betweentimes, occasionally, sometimes, intermittently

Antonyms: none provided

2

adverb

Meaning 2

now and then or here and there

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • he was arrogant and occasionally callous
  • open areas are only occasionally interrupted by clumps of trees
  • they visit New York on occasion
  • now and again she would take her favorite book from the shelf and read to us
  • as we drove along, the beautiful scenery now and then attracted his attention

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: occasionally, on occasion, once in a while, now and then, at times, from time to time

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.