thrice

American  

[thrahys] / θraɪs /

adverb

1. three times, as in succession; on three occasions or in three ways.

2. in threefold quantity or degree.

3. very; extremely.

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thrice British  

/ θraɪs /

adverb

1. three times

2. in threefold degree

3. archaic greatly

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Etymology

Origin of thrice

1150–1200; Middle English thries, equivalent to obsolete thrie thrice ( Old English thrīga ) + -s -s ¹

Explanation

Thrice is an old-fashioned way to talk about doing something three times. You could say, "I swung the bat at the piñata thrice." You're most likely to come across the adverb thrice in a book, since it's a stiff, formal way to say "three times." Just for fun, you could use it in a note to your cat sitter: "Please feed Fluffy thrice daily," to scold your younger brother: "I've asked you thrice not to throw that ball in the house," or to brag about your travels: "I've thrice been to Madagascar."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

thrice

Once the final track has been played, “F.I.G” beckons us to replay, revel in our emotions and dance once, maybe twice or thrice, more.

From Salon ● Jun. 5, 2026

Already, the Federal Reserve cut interest rates thrice last year as the jobs market weakened, before pausing in January to assess the situation.

From Barron's ● Mar. 6, 2026

But if you do, read the fine print twice, or thrice.

From MarketWatch ● Jan. 5, 2026

Hopes have been high for boyband BTS, which has been nominated thrice for best pop group performance since 2021, but it has yet to win it.

From BBC ● Jun. 9, 2025

They changed out teams only thrice that day but seemed to halt twice an hour at the least so Illyrio could climb down from the litter and have himself a piss.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin