# oft

/ˈɔft/ (US) · /ˈɒft/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/oft
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. frequently

adverb · CEFR C2 · Literary · Archaic

an old-fashioned word for 'often'.

For teachers: a literary or archaic synonym for 'often', indicating high frequency.

- The poet wrote about the oft-repeated stories of his childhood.
- Though the phrase is oft-quoted in political speeches, its original context suggests a much more cynical interpretation of power.

Usage: In modern English, this is almost exclusively used as a prefix in hyphenated compound adjectives like 'oft-repeated' or 'oft-cited'.

## Examples

- The poet wrote of the oft-repeated tales of old.
- In the quiet village, the elders would gather to share oft-told stories of the great flood.
- Though the phrase is oft-quoted in academic circles, its original meaning has been somewhat obscured by centuries of shifting linguistic norms.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.