◙ (oftener, oftenest) 1. frequently; many times • 经常；常常 »he often goes for long walks by himself. 他常常独自散步很久。 »how often do you have your hair cut? 你多长时间剪一次头发？ in many instances • 经常 »vocabulary often reflects social standing. 一个人所用的词汇往往能反映出他的社会地位。
【IDIOMS】
◘ as often as not 1. quite frequently or commonly • 经常；在通常情况下 »I had two homes really, because as often as not I was down at her house. 其实我有两个家，因为我常去她家里。 ◘ more often than not 1. usually • 往往，多半 »food is scarce and more often than not they go hungry. 食物很少，他们经常挨饿。
【语源】
1. Middle English: extended form of oft, probably influenced by selden 'seldom'. Early examples appear to be northern English; the word became general in the 16th cent