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

While type 2 diabetes was once a disease of older adults, it is increasingly prevalent among younger individuals: one in five people with type 2 diabetes worldwide is under 40 years old.

From Science Daily

“Amare won once he stepped back on the field and did everything he had to do emotionally and physically,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Doubted once more, his team favored to lose in every betting line, there’s nowhere Foster would rather be.

From Los Angeles Times

Alford remains most in awe of the man Dobbins has grown into as he has never once allowed the dark days of physical therapy dim his smile.

From Los Angeles Times

Regulators expect medicines to be static entities they can test once and trust forever.

From Salon

Related Words

• already
• before
• earlier
• formerly
• previously