Word of The Day: Oftentimes

word@m-w.com
The Word of the Day for Jan 27 is:

oftentimes \AW-fun-tymez\ adverb

: often, repeatedly

Example sentence:
"Oftentimes the villagers must travel great distances on muleback in order to work their fields . . . each family isolated from the rest during the hours of labor." (John Crow, Spain: The Root And The Flower)
Did you know?
Despite its archaic, literary ring, "oftentimes" is quite alive today. In fact, it seems to be more popular even now than it was thirty years or so ago. Nor is "oftentimes" confined to writing — it appears frequently in quoted speech. "Oftentimes" was first used in the 14th century (the same century that gave us "often"), and its meaning hasn't changed — as meanings oftentimes will — in all that time. It was formed as an extension of its older synonym "ofttimes." Today "ofttimes" is less common, but "oft" (which comes from Old English and also means "often" or "frequently") is popular in combination with past participles, as in "oft-praised."
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There's something about oftentimes that just sounds wrong.
I really like the sound of ofttimes so much more.

My sentence: Though Sarah's intentions were to never be tardy, oftentimes she was late for work.

Comments

[Rose]

whitesquirrel, ewwwww! Poochie!

[Rose]

Oftentimes, I wish I hadn't traveled the road I've traveled... But then, I wouldn't be me; I wouldn't know what I know now, I couldn't offer compassion/a sympathetic ear to others if I had not been where I've been.

[whitesquirrel]

I can't say I've ever heard it in Wales either :)

Sounds quite poetic though e.g. "Oftentimes I would stop at traffic lights and pick my nose" etc

[Cyn]

The English speak a much more pleasant-sounding version of the English language than many Yanks.

[Vanessa]

Oftentimes just sounds sooooooo American to my ears. I've never heard an English person use it.