definitions

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RELATED WORDS

already, formerly, previously, earlier, late, before, heretofore, once, erstwhile, back, bygone, old, one, sometime, quondam, whilom, lately, radically, anciently, aforetime

Nearby words

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

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. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for once upon a time

once

/ (wʌns) /

adverb

conjunction

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

noun

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
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.