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.
During the episode, the exes discussed their on-again, off-again relationship and contentious co-parenting situation for their twins. — ABC News, 15 Oct. 2026 Johnson and Martin had something of a tumultuous on-again, off-again relationship, which ultimately dissolved in 2025 after a long engagement. — Sezin Devi Koehler, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Oct. 2026 Zach Hickerson, the brother of Hayden Panettiere's on-again, off-again boyfriend, Brian Hickerson, attempted CPR on the actress before she was declared dead, a 911 call revealed. — Jordan Freiman, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026 Explore See latest videos, charts and news Currently in production in Los Angeles and California’s Imperial Valley, the film will star Becky G as Maya Alvarado, the on-again, off-again love interest to Alex Guerrero, played by Carlos Sanson Jr. — Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 9 Oct. 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
See all Nearby Words

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 22 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of vocation

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All