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.
Every now and then, the virus changes dramatically in a process called antigenic shift. Alexandra M. Lord, CNN, 9 Feb. 2025 Tomatoes trickle in every now and then, but just maybe once a month. Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 9 Feb. 2025 Still, that can be too strong for some people, and even fanatical barrel-proof devotees need to tone it down every now and then. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 7 Feb. 2025 Between now and then, Crutchfield is going back on the road for a tour with Wilco, with more than a dozen U.S. concerts taking place in April and May. Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 4 Feb. 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

Dictionary Entries Near now and then

Cite this Entry

“Now and then.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/now%20and%20then. Accessed 18 Feb. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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