phrase · B1 · Very Often · both

once in a while

изредка

Meaning of once in a while

occasionally

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How important is this word
B1Very Often

Useful for a confident vocabulary.

Pronunciation
EN-UK/wʌns ɪn ə ˈwaɪl/
EN-US/wʌns ɪn ə ˈwaɪl/
once in a while
once in a while - изредка
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Learn for freeLearn 7 words from "Adverbs of Frequency"
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once in a while with Russian translation

once in a while usage examples

🇷🇺RU🇬🇧EN

Изредка я балую себя выпечкой из пекарни.

Once in a while, I treat myself to a pastry from the bakery.

🇷🇺RU🇬🇧EN

Мы изредка ходим в поход, когда погода хорошая.

We go hiking once in a while when the weather is good.

Learn by topic

once in a while belongs to the topic "Adverbs of Frequency". Start with a short 7-word set so the word is easier to remember in context.

once in a whileизредка
onceодин раз
every dayкаждый день
every monthкаждый месяц
right nowпрямо сейчас
secondсекунда
hourчас

once in a while synonyms

Related words worth learning together

occasionally
Slightly more formal than 'once in a while'; means sometimes but not often.
from time to time
Informal; means sometimes, with a slight sense of irregularity.
rarely
More literal and sometimes stronger than 'once in a while' — emphasizes low frequency.
seldom
Slightly more formal or literary than 'rarely'; less common in casual US speech.
now and again
Informal; interchangeable with 'now and then', common in speech.
Learn 5 related words for free
🇬🇧en

Slightly more formal than 'once in a while'; means sometimes but not often.

B2Often

I occasionally work late when there’s a deadline.

🇬🇧en

Informal; means sometimes, with a slight sense of irregularity.

B1Often

From time to time I like to unplug and go for a long walk.

🇬🇧en

More literal and sometimes stronger than 'once in a while' — emphasizes low frequency.

B1Often

I rarely eat fast food.

🇬🇧en

Slightly more formal or literary than 'rarely'; less common in casual US speech.

B2Often

She seldom goes out after dark.

N
🇬🇧en
now and again

Informal; interchangeable with 'now and then', common in speech.

B1Often

Now and again I treat myself to a day off.

O
🇬🇧en
on occasion

Slightly more formal or literary; means occasionally or at particular times.

B2Often

On occasion she gives lectures at the university.

What’s the difference

Related words and lists for once in a while

Questions about this word

once in a while meaning: what does it mean?

occasionally

once in a while pronunciation: how do you pronounce it?

once in a while is pronounced as /wʌns ɪn ə ˈwaɪl/. Audio is available on this page when the word has a recording.

once in a while definition and sentence examples: how is it used in a sentence?

Once in a while, I treat myself to a pastry from the bakery. Translation: Изредка я балую себя выпечкой из пекарни.

Is once in a while part of Adverbs of Frequency vocabulary?

Yes, once in a while (изредка) can be learned in the Adverbs of Frequency topic. This semantic link helps build related word lists and topic-based practice.

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