orfen

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word orfen. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word orfen, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say orfen in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word orfen you have here. The definition of the word orfen will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition oforfen, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.

English

Pronunciation

Adverb

orfen (comparative more orfen, superlative most orfen)

  1. (UK, dated) Pronunciation spelling of often, representing British English.
    • 1876, LADY BARKER, EDITOR, evening hours
      Sometimes they sets theirselves alight, but not orfen, for it aint much o' a fire aunt leaves in.
    • 1887, The English illustrated magazine .:
      Jack's uncommon fond o' theayters, and singing and acting and such like, and as he can't very orfen get the money to pay for 'arf-price in the gallery he follers about all the people as performs in the streets, sometimes for hours an' hours together.
    • 1903, The Royal Magazine:
      He's rarther an ass, but not a bad chap reely, he gives us tips sumtimes but not orfen enuff.

Usage notes

/ɔːfən/ was formerly a common pronunciation of often in many British dialects – the homophony with orphan is exploited as a pun in The Pirates of Penzance, for example. This pronunciation is now largely obsolete and remains only in occasional use by older Received Pronunciation speakers.[1]

References

Anagrams

Lombard

Alternative forms

  • òrfen (Classical Milanese Orthography)

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈɔrfẽː/ (Milanese)

Noun

orfen m (feminine orfena)

  1. orphan