Oftentimes

/ˈɔf.ən.taɪmz/ adverb

Definition

Frequently or many times; happening on a regular or recurring basis.

Etymology

From 'often' (from Old English 'oft' meaning frequently) combined with 'times' (from Old English 'tīma'). It's a somewhat archaic construction that persists in formal or literary English.

Kelly Says

Oftentimes is technically redundant—'often' already means multiple times—but we use it anyway, which shows how language loves reinforcement; we really want to EMPHASIZE that something happens a lot, so we layer the meanings!

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