of·ten 
(ô
f
n,
f
n, ôf
t
n,
f
-)
KEY ADVERB: of·ten·er,
of·ten·est - Many times; frequently.
ETYMOLOGY:Middle English, alteration (probably influenced by
selden,
seldom), of
oft from Old English; see
upo in Indo-European roots
Usage Note: During the 15th century English experienced a widespread loss of certain consonant sounds within consonant clusters, as the (d) in
handsome and
handkerchief, the (p) in
consumption and
raspberry, and the (t) in
chestnut and
often. In this way the consonant clusters were simplified and made easier to articulate. With the rise of public education and literacy and, consequently, people's awareness of spelling in the 19th century, sounds that had become silent sometimes were restored, as is the case with the
t in
often, which is now frequently pronounced. In other similar words, such as
soften and
listen, the
t generally remains silent.
