off and on

adverb

: with periodic cessation : intermittently
rained off and on all day
off-and-on adjective
They have an off-and-on relationship.
off-and-on work

Examples of off and on in a Sentence

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.
These two men clashed off and on over decades of friendship and collaboration interrupted by icy public feuds, largely rooted in fights about Michael’s unrepentant drug use. Shana Naomi Krochmal, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2025 San Jose resident David Torres, 56, who has lived outside off and on for about 15 years, said city and water district employees tossed nearly all of his possessions during a January sweep of Penitencia Creek in San Jose, including new tools, food for his dogs and a bicycle. Ethan Varian, Mercury News, 31 Mar. 2025 The city and San Diego Convention Center Corp. wrangled with FAL off and on for years to work out an agreement to regain control of the leaseholds. Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2025 This would allow you to power cycle your router from anywhere by turning the smart plug off and on. Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, FOXNews.com, 4 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for off and on

Word History

First Known Use

1535, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of off and on was in 1535

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Cite this Entry

“Off and on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/off%20and%20on. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.

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