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

Thrice they will be reminded that Princess Margaret and her husband, Antony Armstrong-Jones, were leading glamour symbols of the Swinging ’60s .

From New York Times • Nov. 13, 2022

Thrice jabbed, 33 and single, with a schedule determined in large part by a housemate who is 8 months old.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2022

Thrice Upon a Time was known as Shin Evangelion Gekijouban in Japan and is listed alongside the other “Shin” movies on the new Shin Japan Heroes Universe website.

From The Verge • Feb. 15, 2022

The Rebuild of Evangelion tetralogy, of which Thrice Upon a Time is the last, serves as a sort of re-telling of the events of the original TV series.

From Slate • Aug. 23, 2021

Thrice her age, bone-white, bone-thin, with clouded eyes, Lord Benderesk greeted Ged with grim cold courtesy, bidding him stay as guest however long he would.

From "A Wizard of Earthsea" by Ursula K. Le Guin