Once Definition & Meaning

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    • Synonyms once American [wuhns] / wʌns /

    adverb

    1. at one time in the past; formerly.

      I was a farmer once;

      a once powerful nation.

    2. a single time: We go to a movie once a week.

      We ate there just once.

      We go to a movie once a week.

    3. even a single time; at any time; ever.

      If the facts once become known, it will be just too bad.

    4. by a single step, degree, or grade.

      a cousin once removed.

    adjective

    1. former; having at one time been.

      the once and future king.

    conjunction

    1. if or when at any time; if ever.

    2. whenever; as soon as.

      Once you're finished, you can leave.

    noun

    1. a single occasion; one time only.

      Once is enough.

    idioms

    1. once and again, repeatedly.

      He has been told once and again not to slam the door.

    2. all at once,

      1. simultaneously.

        The children were running, screaming, and throwing things all at once.

      2. suddenly.

        All at once the rain came down.

    3. at once,

      1. at the same time; simultaneously.

        Don't all speak at once.

      2. immediately; promptly.

        Tell him to come at once!

    4. 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.

    5. once or twice, a very few times; infrequently.

      I've seen her in the elevator once or twice.

    6. once and for all, decisively; finally: Also once for all.

      Let's settle this problem once and for all.

    7. once in a while, at intervals; occasionally.

      She stops in to see us once in a while.

    once British / wʌns /

    adverb

    1. one time; on one occasion or in one case

    2. at some past time; formerly

      I could speak French once

    3. by one step or degree (of relationship)

      a cousin once removed

    4. (in conditional clauses, negatives, etc) ever; at all

      if you once forget it

    5. multiplied by one

      1. conclusively

      2. occasionally

    7. conclusively; for the last time

    8. occasionally; now and then

    9. a few times

    10. used to begin fairy tales and children's stories

    "Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

    conjunction

    1. (subordinating) as soon as; if ever or whenever

      once you begin, you'll enjoy it

    "Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

    noun

    1. one occasion or case

      you may do it, this once

      1. suddenly or without warning

      2. simultaneously

      1. immediately

      2. simultaneously

    4. this time, if (or but) at no other time

    "Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 once More Idioms

      More idioms and phrases containing once

      • all at once
      • at once
      • every now and then (once in a while)
      • give someone the once-over

    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.

    Yet what makes this potentially the most important new opera of the year is not Huang’s agreeably efficient — and once in a while inspired — score, which incorporates Western and traditional music.

    From Los Angeles Times

    An expert in such markets once told MarketWatch that they can “get caught up in a narrative.”

    From MarketWatch

    An expert in such markets once told MarketWatch that they can “get caught up in a narrative.”

    From MarketWatch

    Wilder, a former WBC world champion and once the division's most feared puncher, has struggled since his trilogy with Tyson Fury.

    From BBC

    We believe there are competing bidders for the club that are above the '25p in the pound' threshold that will prevent the club from facing any penalties once they exit administration.

    From BBC

    Related Words

    • already
    • before
    • earlier
    • formerly
    • late
    • previously

    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.

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