once

As soon as; when; after.

Adverb

  1. One and only one time.
    • I have only once eaten pizza.

    Synonyms: one time

  2. Formerly; during some period in the past.
    • He was once the most handsome man around.
    • I once had a motorbicycle.
    • Once I didn't drive a big car, but now I own an all-terrain 4WD.
  3. At any time; ever.
    • If the facts once became known, we'd be in trouble.
    • Once bring in the police and what is inevitably bound to follow? There will be calls and interrogations and cross-questionings […] - 1934, Ernest Bramah, The Bravo of London:
  4. One day, someday.
    • The wisdom of God thought fit to acquaint David with that court which we shall once govern. - 1612–1626, [Joseph Hall], “(please specify the page)”, in [Contemplations vpon the Principall Passages of the Holy Storie],...
  5. Multiplied by one: indicating that a number is multiplied by one.
    • Once three is three.

Origin

From Middle English ones, from Old English ānes, a remodelling (after ān (“one”)) of ǣnes, itself an extension of ǣne (“once”) with the genitive suffix -es. Equivalent to one + -s. Cognate with Saterland Frisian enst, insen (“once”), West Frisian iens (“once”), Dutch eens (“once”), German Low German eens, ins (“once”), German einst (“once”). More at one (including regarding the development of the pronunciation) and -s.

Synonyms

formerly once oncet yance wunst

Antonyms

four times often thrice twice

Related

at once for once for once and for all measure twice and cut once not even once once again once more once and again once and away once and for all once for all once in a blue moon once in a purple moon once in a way once in a while once more into the breach once or twice once over once-over once removed once upon a time once you go black write once you only go around once

Derived

Christmas comes but once a year don't spend it all at once fool me once for this once once a man, twice a boy once a man, twice a child once a woman, twice a child Once Brewed once-in-a-generation once-in-a-lifetime onceness once-off once on a time once-over-lightly oncer Oncer

Conjunction

  1. As soon as; when; after.
    • Near-synonym: immediately
    • We'll get a move on once we find the damn car keys!
    • Once you have obtained the elven bow, return to the troll bridge and trade it for the sleeping potion.

    Synonyms: immediately

Noun

  1. Obsolete form of ounce.

Forms

onces