once

[ wuhns ]

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.

once

/ 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
6. once and away
   1. conclusively
   2. occasionally
7. once and for all
   conclusively; for the last time
8. once in a while
   occasionally; now and then
9. once or twice or once and again
   a few times
10. once upon a time
    used to begin fairy tales and children's stories

conjunction

1. subordinating as soon as; if ever or whenever

   once you begin, you'll enjoy it

noun

1. one occasion or case

   you may do it, this once

2. all at once
   1. suddenly or without warning
   2. simultaneously
3. at once
   1. immediately
   2. simultaneously
4. for once
   this time, if (or but) at no other time

Word History and Origins

Origin of once¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of once¹

C12 ones, ānes, adverbial genitive of on, ān one

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. 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.

2. at once,
   1. at the same time; simultaneously:

      Don't all speak at once.

   2. immediately; promptly:

      Tell him to come at once!

3. once and again, repeatedly:

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

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

   Let's settle this problem once and for all.

5. once in a while, at intervals; occasionally:

   She stops in to see us once in a while.

6. once or twice, a very few times; infrequently:

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

7. 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

Example Sentences

It's easy to change opinion once you get through another set of games but I'm going to stick with my gut feeling of PSG to win the competition.

From BBC

Real Madrid have some big decisions to make in the coming months as they look to ensure they are quickly battling for Champions League titles once again.

From BBC

A year after that, in 2019, she went a little ballistic once again when it was rumored that her sister Kylie Jenner’s friend Jordyn Woods was connecting with Thompson — a rumor Woods denied.

From Los Angeles Times

He said investigators tracked Castillo’s vehicle for a month in January and found that she had stayed at the Huntington Park apartment only once.

From Los Angeles Times

“And once you accept that everything that happens is meant to happen, then you’ll be free.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• already
• before
• earlier
• formerly
• previously