every so often Definition

every
adj

1. Each one or single of a number or collection; omitting none.

Thesaurus: each one, all, without exception.
2. The greatest or best possible.

Example: making every effort

adverb

1. At, in, or at the end of, each stated period of time or distance, etc.

Example: every fourth week
Example: every six inches

Idiom: every bit (every whit)

The whole; all of it; quite or entirely.

Idiom: every last

(used for emphasis) every.

Idiom: every man Jack (every mother's son)

Everyone without exception.

Idiom: every now and then (every now and again, every so often)

Occasionally; from time to time.
Thesaurus: sometimes, occasionally, once in a while, from time to time, every so often.

Idiom: every other ... (every second ...)

One out of every two (things) repeatedly (the first, third, fifth, etc or second, fourth, sixth, etc).
Example: comes every other day

Idiom: every which way

In every direction.

By method.

In disorder.

Idiom: have everything

colloq
To be well endowed with possessions, good looks, etc.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon æfre ælc ever each.

---

often
adverb

1. Many times; frequently.

Thesaurus: frequently, regularly, repeatedly, usually; Antonym: seldom.
2. In many cases.

adj

1. archaic
Done, made or happening, etc many times; frequent.

Idiom: as often as not

Quite often; in about half the cases.

Idiom: every so often

Sometimes; now and then.

Idiom: more often than not

Usually; in most of the cases.

Etymology: 14c: variant before vowels and h of ofte oft.