What is the meaning of once in a while?

adverb

  • Now and then or here and there.
    • usage: "he was arrogant and occasionally callous"; "open areas are only occasionally interrupted by clumps of trees"; "they visit New York on occasion"; "now and again she would take her favorite book from the shelf and read to us"; "as we drove along, the beautiful scenery now and then attracted his attention"
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APAWordNet. (2010). once in a while. Retrieved September 20, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/once_in_a_while/definitions/1252705
ChicagoWordNet. 2010. "once in a while" http://smartdefine.org/once_in_a_while/definitions/1252705 (accessed September 20, 2026).
HarvardWordNet 2010, once in a while, Smart Define, viewed 20 September, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/once_in_a_while/definitions/1252705>.
MLAWordNet. "once in a while" 23 October 2010. Web. 20 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/once_in_a_while/definitions/1252705>