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once
[ wuhns ]
adverb
- 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
- former; having at one time been:
the once and future king.
conjunction
- if or when at any time; if ever.
- whenever; as soon as:
Once you're finished, you can leave.
noun
- a single occasion; one time only:
Once is enough.
once
/ wʌns /
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
- once and away
- conclusively
- occasionally
- once and for allconclusively; for the last time
- once in a whileoccasionally; now and then
- once or twice or once and againa few times
- once upon a timeused to begin fairy tales and children's stories
conjunction
- subordinating as soon as; if ever or whenever
once you begin, you'll enjoy it
noun
- one occasion or case
you may do it, this once
- all at once
- suddenly or without warning
- simultaneously
- at once
- immediately
- simultaneously
- for oncethis time, if (or but) at no other time
Word History and Origins
Word History and Origins
Origin of once1
Idioms and Phrases
- all at once,
- simultaneously:
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.
- once and again, repeatedly:
He has been told once and again not to slam the door.
- 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.
- once or twice, a very few times; infrequently:
I've seen her in the elevator once or twice.
- 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.
More idioms and phrases containing once
- all at once
- at once
- every now and then (once in a while)
- give someone the once-over
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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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