now and then

adverb

: from time to time : occasionally
now and then we go off to the country

Examples of now and then in a Sentence

we do go to the library now and then, but not as often as we should
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
All of us go off track now and then, in ways large and small. Paul Bloom, New Yorker, 14 July 2025 Her character, Prue Halliwell, would come up in episodes every now and then, with Piper (Holly Marie Combs) and Phoebe (Alyssa Milano) often referencing her in memory. Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 13 July 2025 Because there are a lot of things that could go wrong between now and then. Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 July 2025 Every now and then a teen wandered in, going straight to the counter. Scott Craven, AZCentral.com, 10 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for now and then

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of now and then was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Now and then.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/now%20and%20then. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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