sometimes

Meanings

1. 1
   adv

   on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

   Sometimes they wished they were back in England.

2. 2
   adv

   On some occasions, over some periods, or in certain circumstances, but not always.

   Sometimes I sit and think, but mostly I just sit.

3. 3
   adv

   On a certain occasion in the past; once.

   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.

4. 4
   adj

   Former; sometime.

   Farewell old Gaunt, thy ſometimes brothers wife / With her companion Greefe, muſt end her life.

Etymology

From Middle English sumtymes, somtymes, som tymes, equivalent to sometime + -s (adverbial suffix). Compare West Frisian somstiden (“sometimes”), Dutch somtijds, somwijlen (“sometimes”).