once
Americanadverb
-
at one time in the past; formerly.
I was a farmer once;
a once powerful nation.
-
a single time: We go to a movie once a week.
We ate there just once.
We go to a movie once a week.
-
even a single time; at any time; ever.
If the facts once become known, it will be just too bad.
-
by a single step, degree, or grade.
a cousin once removed.
adjective
conjunction
-
if or when at any time; if ever.
-
whenever; as soon as.
Once you're finished, you can leave.
noun
idioms
-
once and again, repeatedly.
He has been told once and again not to slam the door.
-
all at once,
-
The children were running, screaming, and throwing things all at once.
-
suddenly.
All at once the rain came down.
-
-
at once,
-
at the same time; simultaneously.
Don't all speak at once.
-
Tell him to come at once!
-
-
once upon a time, at some unspecified past time, especially a long time ago.
Once upon a time, in a faraway land, there lived a prince and princess.
-
once or twice, a very few times; infrequently.
I've seen her in the elevator once or twice.
-
once and for all, decisively; finally: Also once for all.
Let's settle this problem once and for all.
-
once in a while, at intervals; occasionally.
She stops in to see us once in a while.
adverb
-
one time; on one occasion or in one case
-
at some past time; formerly
I could speak French once
-
by one step or degree (of relationship)
a cousin once removed
-
(in conditional clauses, negatives, etc) ever; at all
if you once forget it
-
multiplied by one
-
-
conclusively
-
occasionally
-
-
conclusively; for the last time
-
occasionally; now and then
-
a few times
-
used to begin fairy tales and children's stories
conjunction
noun
-
one occasion or case
you may do it, this once
-
-
suddenly or without warning
-
simultaneously
-
-
-
immediately
-
simultaneously
-
-
this time, if (or but) at no other time
Etymology
Origin of once
First recorded before 1150; Middle English ones, Old English ānes, originally genitive of ān “one” replacing Middle English enes, Old English ǣnes “once,” equivalent to ǣne “once” (originally instrumental of ān ) + -es adverb suffix; one, -s 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"I have never once felt like I've been managed poorly," he said.
From BBC
Never, not even once, had someone who’d texted me also submitted something.
From Literature
It would have been nice if, for once, I’d knocked this simulation out of the park, especially with Elliot Mason sitting front and center.
From Literature
They have already won at Bournemouth once this season, in the Carabao Cup, and also hammered them 4-1 when they met after Christmas.
From BBC
Nvidia is once again Morgan Stanley’s top stock pick in the chip sector, reclaiming that spot from Micron Technology.
From MarketWatch
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
