on-again off-againadj.
/ˌɒnəɡɛn ˈɒfəɡɛn/, U.S. /ˈɑnəɡɛn ˈɔfəɡɛn/, /ˈɔnəɡɛn ˈɔfəɡɛn/, /ˈɑnəɡɛn ˈɑfəɡɛn/ Off and on; vacillating, intermittent, patchy; = on-off adj. 2.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > frequency > infrequency > [adjective] > intermittent or irregular
chopping1483
wavering1488
interpolate1547
suspensive1575
off and on1583
remitting1583
intermissive1586
fluttering1590
aguisha1602
intermittent1603
irregular1608
broken1629
intermitting1643
serratile1707
serrine1707
scattering1709
serratic1753
now-and-then1762
remittent1791
fitful1810
non-periodic1836
spasmodic1837
startful1837
interlusory1853
heterochronic1854
heterochronous1854
between-whiles1859
snatchy1861
sporadic1861
spasmodical1864
catchy1869
pauseful1877
aperiodic1879
scratchy1881
nervy1884
spurty1894
off-again on-again1923
on-again off-again1946
on-off1949
the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > [adjective] > of purpose, resolution, etc.
softening1600
vacillatorya1734
unfirm1771
equivocal1791
vacillating1828
vacillate1830
mammered1842
ambivalent1923
hedgy1928
on-again off-again1946
1937 (title of film) On again—off again.]
1946 Polit. Sci. Q. 61 336 Anvil[sc. an invasion plan] was probably the most celebrated on-again off-again decision of World War II.
1977 I. Shaw Beggarman, Thief ii. iii. 139 She was having trouble with the Hollywood director with whom she was..having an on-again, off-again affair.
2002 Nation 6 May 5/2 The..on-again, off-again military coup against Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, June 2004; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1946