once

[ wuhns ]

/ wʌns /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR once ON THESAURUS.COM

adverb

at one time in the past; formerly: I was a farmer once; a once powerful nation.

a single time: We ate there just once. We go to a movie once a week.

even a single time; at any time; ever: If the facts once become known, it will be just too bad.

by a single step, degree, or grade: a cousin once removed.

adjective

former; having at one time been: the once and future king.

conjunction

if or when at any time; if ever.

whenever; as soon as: Once you're finished, you can leave.

noun

a single occasion; one time only: Once is enough.

Words nearby once

onassis, onassis, jacqueline kennedy, onbeat, onboard, onc, once, once and for all, once bitten, twice shy, once in a blue moon, once in a lifetime, once in a while

Idioms for once

all at once,

simultaneously: The children were running, screaming, and throwing things all at once.
suddenly: All at once the rain came down.

at once,

at the same time; simultaneously: Don't all speak at once.
immediately; promptly: Tell him to come at once!

once and again, repeatedly: He has been told once and again not to slam the door.

once and for all, decisively; finally: Let's settle this problem once and for all.Also once for all.

once in a while, at intervals; occasionally: She stops in to see us once in a while.

once or twice, a very few times; infrequently: I've seen her in the elevator once or twice.

once upon a time, at some unspecified past time, especially a long time ago: Once upon a time, in a faraway land, there lived a prince and princess.

Origin of once

before 1150; Middle English ones, Old English ānes, orig. genitive of ān one; replacing Middle English enes, Old English ǣnes once, equivalent to ǣne once (orig. instrumental of ān) + -es adv. suffix; see -s¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

British Dictionary definitions for once upon a time

once

/ (wʌns) /

adverb

one time; on one occasion or in one case

at some past time; formerlyI could speak French once

by one step or degree (of relationship)a cousin once removed

(in conditional clauses, negatives, etc) ever; at allif you once forget it

multiplied by one

once and away

conclusively
occasionally

once and for all conclusively; for the last time

once in a while occasionally; now and then

once or twice or once and again a few times

once upon a time used to begin fairy tales and children's stories

conjunction

(subordinating) as soon as; if ever or wheneveronce you begin, you'll enjoy it

noun

one occasion or caseyou may do it, this once

all at once

suddenly or without warning
simultaneously

at once

immediately
simultaneously

for once this time, if (or but) at no other time

Word Origin for once

C12 ones, ānes, adverbial genitive of on, ān one

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Idioms and Phrases with once upon a time (1 of 2)

once upon a time

On some past occasion, as in I may have sung this piece once upon a time, but I don't really remember it. This phrase, first recorded in 1595, is frequently used as the opening line of fairy tales and stories told to children, as in Once upon a time there was a king who had three beautiful daughters.

Idioms and Phrases with once upon a time (2 of 2)

once

In addition to the idioms beginning with once

once and for all
once bitten, twice shy
once in a blue moon
once in a lifetime
once in a while
once over lightly
once upon a time

also see:

all at once
at once
every now and then (once in a while)
give someone the once-over

once

adverb

adjective

conjunction

noun

Words related to once

Words nearby once

Idioms for once

Origin of once

British Dictionary definitions for once upon a time

adverb

conjunction

noun

Word Origin for once

Idioms and Phrases with once upon a time (1 of 2)

Idioms and Phrases with once upon a time (2 of 2)