one-time

American  

[wuhn-tahym] / ˈwʌnˌtaɪm /

Or onetime

adjective

1. having been as specified at one time; former.

   my one-time partners.

   Synonyms:

   past, previous

2. occurring, done, or accomplished only once.

   his one-time try at elective office.

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one-time British  

adjective

1. (prenominal) at some time in the past; former

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adverb

1. informal at once

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

Banks are too complex to govern through legislated rules alone, too important to leave to market discipline, and too dynamic for one-time approval.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026

They will also continue to get Dominion’s current quarterly dividend through the completion of the deal alongside a one-time cash payment of $360 million.

From Barron's • May 18, 2026

Sales were 5.13 billion euros, up 2.9% organically, and Ebitda before one-time items was broadly flat at 1.53 billion euros.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 13, 2026

The company attributed the drop to the large, one-time sale of a quantum computer in the year prior.

From Barron's • May 12, 2026

Patsy, Hannah’s one-time friend, agreed and said not only that, but she had witnessed the fact that when Sula drank beer she never belched.

From "Sula" by Toni Morrison