on-again, off-again

adjective

ˈȯn-ə-ˈgen-ˈȯf-ə-ˈgen How to pronounce on-again, off-again (audio)
: existing briefly and in an intermittent unpredictable way
on-again, off-again fads

Examples of on-again, off-again 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.
And by the looks of the first photos (below), Emily seems to be jetting off to meet her on-again, off-again chef boyfriend Gabriel (Lucas Bravo), picking up where season five left off. — Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026 Brian Hickerson, who had an on-again, off-again relationship with Panettiere in the years before her death at 36, was among those at the residence when she was found unresponsive, according to the police report obtained by Fox News Digital. — Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026 Panettiere’s on-again, off-again boyfriend Brian Hickerson and his brother Zach were with her at the time of her death, according to a police report obtained by PEOPLE. — Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 24 Aug. 2026 As Fallon’s on-again, off-again lover and eventual husband Jeff, John James took the character from Dynasty to The Colbys before returning to the mothership series after the spinoff was cancelled following two seasons. — Maggie Fremont, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for on-again, off-again

Word History

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of on-again, off-again was in 1946

Rhymes for on-again, off-again

See All Rhymes for on-again, off-again

Browse Nearby Words

on a full stomach
on-again, off-again
onager
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Cite this Entry

“On-again, off-again.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on-again%2C%20off-again. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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