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.
Jack McGrail and Aiyana Da’Briel, staff leaders for the SoLa Live Accelerator program behind the event, seemed to be everywhere at once, passing out wristbands and scribbling on clipboards.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 29, 2026
There is no technological solution that can align with everyone’s opposing interests and diverse values at once.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026
And something like a billion low-wage workers walked into the global economy at once.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 27, 2026
It comes across as at once a little artificial and sincerely felt.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026
Jonah could just imagine the chaos of thirty-six babies being taken off a plane 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.
