adjective
adverb
Etymology
Origin of one-time
First recorded in 1880–85
Explanation
Use the adjective one-time to mean "long ago" or "former." For example, a one-time movie star was famous in the past, but might not be recognized today. A one-time chess champion might have won competitions years and years ago. A one-time international spy may have had exciting adventures in her youth, although today she could very well be an unassuming elderly lady. The one-time star of a basketball team isn't anymore, and a one-time dog owner might have switched to keeping cats instead.
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.
However, most life-insurance companies pay dividends to customers around their individual policy’s anniversary date, rather than a one-time payout to all policyholders at the same time.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 18, 2026
Wall Street’s earnings game is making it needlessly hard for investors to tell real growth from one-time gains.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026
The case has been marked by twists and turns, including a connection to a one-time candidate for California governor.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026
The Foxes have had an eight-page sales booklet produced by a leading US investment bank to help offload the one-time Premier League title winners.
From BBC ● Aug. 13, 2026
Behind the closed and guarded doors of the SR offices, an SR officer deciphered the message by hand, using a one-time pad.
From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau
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.
