one-shot
Americannoun
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a magazine, brochure, or the like that is published only one time, with no subsequent issues intended, usually containing articles and photographs devoted to one topical subject.
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a single appearance by a performer, as in a play, motion picture, or television program.
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a close-up camera shot of one person.
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something occurring, done, used, etc., only once.
adjective
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occurring, done, etc., only once.
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achieved or accomplished with a single try.
a one-shot solution.
Etymology
Origin of one-shot
First recorded in 1905–10
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.
Former US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick hit a superb, bogey-free 63 to claim a one-shot lead over Viktor Hovland after a punishing second round at the RBC Heritage in South Carolina.
From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026
Two putts later and a second jacket was his, a one-shot victory over Scheffler.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2026
For drivers, we had gen AI, one-shot models, reasoning, moving to agentic autonomous agents, and physical AI.
From Barron's • Oct. 8, 2025
His 69 was enough to finish five over for a one-shot win over Furyk and Tiger Woods.
From BBC • Jun. 9, 2025
Knowing this was my one-shot ticket out of Jankburg, Pennsylvania.
From "Better Nate Than Ever" by Tim Federle
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.
