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.
The transformation did not happen all at once.
From Science Daily • Apr. 20, 2026
"I think it all kind of happened at once," Davis said.
From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026
Driven by Gen Z and millennials, 25% of borrowers hold three or more BNPLs at once, with 29% turning to those for groceries and 20% for delivery or takeout.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 16, 2026
“But rates dipped just before the war, and everyone seemed to come out all at once to bid for homes that had been on the market for over 20 days.”
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026
Suddenly the whole room was quiet, everyone stunned into silence at once.
From "Found" by Margaret Peterson Haddix
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.
