thrice
Americanadverb
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three times, as in succession; on three occasions or in three ways.
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in threefold quantity or degree.
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very; extremely.
adverb
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three times
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in threefold degree
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archaic greatly
Etymology
Origin of thrice
1150–1200; Middle English thries, equivalent to obsolete thrie thrice ( Old English thrīga ) + -s -s 1
Explanation
Thrice is an old-fashioned way to talk about doing something three times. You could say, "I swung the bat at the piñata thrice." You're most likely to come across the adverb thrice in a book, since it's a stiff, formal way to say "three times." Just for fun, you could use it in a note to your cat sitter: "Please feed Fluffy thrice daily," to scold your younger brother: "I've asked you thrice not to throw that ball in the house," or to brag about your travels: "I've thrice been to Madagascar."
Vocabulary lists containing thrice
Excerpt from "The Tragedy of Julius Caesar"
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"Kubla Khan" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge
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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.
Heir I'm sure I was thrie miles togither under the shade of wast valnut tries on each syde ladened wt fruit, great abondance of which I meit all the way thorow.
From Publications of the Scottish History Society, Volume 36 Journals of Sir John Lauder Lord Fountainhall with His Observations on Public Affairs and Other Memoranda 1665-1676 by Fountainhall, John Lauder, Lord
Tha for he northryhte be thæm lande: let him ealne weg thæt weste land on thæt steorbord, and tha wid-sæ on thæt bæcbord thrie dagas.
From Early Britain Anglo-Saxon Britain by Allen, Grant
Wee had thrie ky, that was baith fat and fair, Nane tydier into the toun of Air.
From The Scottish Reformation Its Epochs, Episodes, Leaders, and Distinctive Characteristics by Fleming, David Hay
He is lying in his bed, and he is seik and sair, Let him lye in till that bedd monthes two and dayes thrie mair!
From Witch Stories by Linton, E. Lynn (Elizabeth Lynn)
He sall lye in till his bed, he salbe seik and sair, He sall lye in till his bedd, monthes two and dayes thrie mair!”
From Witch Stories by Linton, E. Lynn (Elizabeth Lynn)
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.
