as in on and off
not constantly or steadily over a period of time
They've been dating off and on for almost a year.
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Examples of off and on in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Researchers have studied the colony off and on ever since.
—
Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024
Conley had known Adam since 2011 and the two had dated off and on before Yoder’s death, according to the Utica Observer-Dispatch.
—Nicole Acosta, Peoplemag, 18 Sep. 2024
The United Kingdom had been at it, off and on, since 1799.
—Joseph Thorndike, Forbes, 3 Sep. 2024
The boy told police he was punched, stomped in the head and raped in the facility in separate incidents off and on over several hours.
—Christine MacDonald, Detroit Free Press, 17 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for off and on 
Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024
Conley had known Adam since 2011 and the two had dated off and on before Yoder’s death, according to the Utica Observer-Dispatch.
—Nicole Acosta, Peoplemag, 18 Sep. 2024
The United Kingdom had been at it, off and on, since 1799.
—Joseph Thorndike, Forbes, 3 Sep. 2024
The boy told police he was punched, stomped in the head and raped in the facility in separate incidents off and on over several hours.
—Christine MacDonald, Detroit Free Press, 17 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for off and on
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'off and on.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Off and on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/off%20and%20on. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.
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