at once
Idioms-
At the same time, as in We can't all fit into the boat at once . [First half of 1200s] Also see at one time , def. 1.
-
Immediately, as in Mother told the children to come inside at once . [First half of 1500s]
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.
What surprised her most was not only the size of the effect, but also how caregiving strains multiple parts of family life at once.
From MarketWatch • May 21, 2026
When the ice becomes thin enough, large portions can suddenly detach and break away at once.
From Science Daily • May 19, 2026
After releasing four instrumental jazz albums under his own name, he moved to New York in 1970 and adopted the band name Roy Ayers Ubiquity — signaling his intent to be everywhere at once.
From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026
A single tub of pico de gallo, for instance, quietly replaces fresh tomatoes, onion, cilantro and jalapeños all at once.
From Salon • May 19, 2026
We were following a little game trail deep in the heart of the bottoms, when all at once Rowdy stopped and raised his head in the air.
From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls
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.
