often

adverb

1. many times; frequently: He visits his parents as often as he can.
2. in many cases.

adjective

3. Archaic. frequent.

adverb

1. frequently or repeatedly; much of the timeArchaic equivalents: oftentimes, ofttimes
2. as often as not quite frequently
3. every so often at intervals
4. more often than not in more than half the instances

adjective

5. archaic repeated; frequent

adv.c.1300, extended form of oft, originally before vowels and h-, probably by influence of Middle English selden “seldom.” In common use from 16c., replacing oft. see every now and then (so often); more often than not.