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sometimes

SUM-tymz/ˈsʌmtaɪmz/

3 meanings of sometimes

Practice

  1. 1
    adverb
    At certain times but not always, now and then.

    Like rain that falls on some days but not every day.

    Sometimes we walk to school instead of taking the bus.

    The old printer sometimes jams when the paper is damp.

    UsageOften at the start or before the verb: we sometimes walk. Sometime (no s) means at a time not said: call me sometime.

    Similaroccasionally, intermittently, sporadically, irregularly

    Oppositealways, never

  2. 2
    adverbobsolete
    At one time long ago.
    What art thou that vſurp’ſt this time of night, / Together with that Faire and Warlike forme / In which the Maieſty of buried Denmarke / Did ſometimes march : By Heauen I charge thee ſpeake.
    c. 1599, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”Here, sometimes means once, at a time in the past.

    Similaronce, before, previously, formerly

    Note
  3. 3
    adjectiveobsolete
    Former, or from a time before now.
    Farewell old Gaunt, thy ſometimes brothers wife / With her companion Greefe, muſt end her life.
    1595, William Shakespeare, “The Life and Death of King Richard the Second”Here, sometimes means former or late, so the wife of Gaunt's dead brother.

    Similarerstwhile

    Note

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Origin

From Middle English sumtymes, made from sometime plus an -s ending used on adverbs.

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 2 facts