Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

once in a while

Word Rarity Common

Frequency: Zipf frequency 5.35 in modern English

Syllables: on-ce in a while
IPA

20

Scrabble Score

12

Letters

2

Syllables

9

Unique Chars

Meaning

adv

Occasionally; sometimes.

Example Sentences

"I send her a note once in a while to let her know I'm thinking of her."
"He used to drop into my chambers once in a while to smoke, and was first-rate company. When I gave a dinner there was generally a cover laid for him."

Phrases

even a blind pig can find an acorn once in a while even a blind squirrel can find a nut once in a while every once in a while every now and then every so often time to time now and again now and then

Frequently Paired Words

every now and then every so often time to time now and again now and then sometimes

Synonyms

at times ever and anon every once in a while every now and then every so often from time to time intermittently irregularly now and again now and then occasionally on occasion

Questions

What does once in a while mean?: Occasionally; sometimes.

How to pronounce once in a while

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “once in a while”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
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Repeat and practice — Say “once in a while” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.