ONCE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

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once

[wuhns]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

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

/ ��ʌ�Բ� /

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
1. conclusively
2. occasionally
conclusively; for the last time
occasionally; now and then
a few times
used 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
1. suddenly or without warning
2. simultaneously
1. immediately
2. simultaneously
this time, if (or but) at no other time

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of once¹

First recorded before 1150; Middle English ones, Old English ��Ա��, originally genitive of �� “one” replacing Middle English enes, Old English ǣ�Ա�� “once,” equivalent to ǣ�Ա� “once” (originally instrumental of �� ) + -es adverb suffix; one, -s ¹

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of once¹

C12 ones, ��Ա��, adverbial genitive of on, �� _one

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Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

once and again, repeatedly.
He has been told once and again not to slam the door.
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.
at once,
1. at the same time; simultaneously.
  Don't all speak at once.
2. immediately; promptly.
  Tell him to come at once!
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.
once or twice, a very few times; infrequently.
I've seen her in the elevator once or twice.
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.

In addition to the idioms beginning with once, also see all at once; at once; every now and then (once in a while); give someone the once-over.

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Winning the trophy once, Melero said was not “the ultimate goal. It was the first goal.”

From

Manufacturing is no longer the labour-intensive engine of prosperity it once was, but a capital-heavy, high-tech enterprise.

From

That sum shrank to as little as $30bn, not including investments backed by foreign governments, once researchers factored in the risk that some projects might fail to materialise, or would have happened anyway.

From

Up to 100 truckloads of Scotland's waste each day will be moved to England once a landfill ban comes in at the end of the year, the BBC's Disclosure has been told.

From

Flanagan is too concerned with the bones of his story to give us any of the meat, and once you poke at it, the skeleton falls apart.

From

Related 51�Թ�s

already��
before��
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formerly��
late��
previously��

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

on-camera once and for all

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