Once — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adverb noun adjective conjunction /ˈwən(t)s/

Meaning & Definition of Once

Once (adverb)

  1. one time and no more
  2. at any one time, under any circumstances, ever
  3. at some indefinite time in the past, formerly

Once (noun)

  1. one single time, one time at least

Once (adjective)

  1. that once was, former

Once (conjunction)

  1. at the moment when, as soon as

Once (adverb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. at an earlier or previous time

    "I once knew the quotation, but time has taken its toll on my brain cells"

    similar: erstwhile, formerly, onetime
    near: lately, recently, currently, now, presently

Once (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. having been such at some previous time

    "the once child star is now a lawyer in the entertainment industry"

    similar: erstwhile, former, late, old, onetime, other, past, quondam, sometime, whilom
    related: bygone, dead, defunct, departed, expired, extinct, gone, long-ago, vanished
    near: contemporary, current, extant, ongoing, present, present-day, coming, future, prospective, unborn

Once (conjunction) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. just at the moment that

    "you should have stopped wrestling once you knew someone was getting hurt, not five minutes later"

    similar: as soon as, immediately (chiefly British), instantly, when
    near: after, directly (chiefly British), since

Related Entry: Once in a blue moon (phrase)

Once in a blue moon is a different word from Once. The synonyms below are for once in a blue moon, not for once.

  1. not often

    "Once in a blue moon, this car just refuses to start."

    "They only see each other once in a blue moon as they rarely are in the same location at the same time."

    similar: infrequently, little, rarely
    related: ne'er, never, episodically, irregularly, now and then, occasionally, seldom, sometimes, sporadically
    opposite: frequently, oft, often, oftentimes
    near: customarily, generally, habitually, ordinarily, routinely, usually, always, constantly, continually, continuously, endlessly, eternally, ever, everlastingly, evermore, forever, invariably, perennially, perpetually, unceasingly, chronically, recurrently, repeatedly

Related Entry: Once in a while (phrase)

Once in a while is a different word from Once. The synonyms below are for once in a while, not for once.

  1. on some occasions

    "tries to avoid sweets, but indulges in chocolate once in a while"

    similar: here and there, now, now and then, occasionally, sometimes, at times, ever and anon, every now and then, from time to time, on occasion
    related: intermittently, off and on, periodically, recurrently, infrequently, little, rarely, seldom, irregularly, sporadically, variously
    near: frequently, hourly, much, oft, often, oftentimes, commonly, ordinarily, regularly, routinely, usually, always, consistently, constantly, invariably, continually, continuingly, continuously, incessantly, perpetually, unceasingly, uninterruptedly, endlessly, ever, interminably

Related Entry: Once-over (noun)

Once-over is a different word from Once. The synonyms below are for once-over, not for once.

  1. as in perusal

    similar: perusal, inquisition, interrogation, recheck, reinspection, resurvey, exploration, investigation, probe, research, study, observation, surveillance, watch, analysis, assay, close-up, deconstruction, dissection, checkout, test-drive, trial run, audit, check, checkup, examination, going-over, inspection, look-see, review, scan, scrutiny, survey, view

Related Entry: Once-overs (noun)

Once-overs is a different word from Once. The synonyms below are for once-overs, not for once.

  1. as in perusals

    similar: perusals, inquisitions, interrogations, rechecks, reinspections, resurveys, explorations, investigations, probes, researches, studies, observations, surveillances, watches, analyses, assays, close-ups, deconstructions, dissections, checkouts, test-drives, trial runs, audits, checks, checkups, examinations, goings-over, inspections, look-sees, reviews, scans, scrutinies, surveys, views

Related Entry: At once (phrase)

At once is a different word from Once. The synonyms below are for at once, not for once.

  1. at one and the same time

    "I have three papers due all at once."

    similar: coincidentally, coincidently, concurrently, contemporaneously, simultaneously, together, in unison
    related: close, immediately, narrowly, near
    opposite: separately
    near: apart, independently, individually, singly, consecutively, successively

  2. without delay

    "Call me at once when you get this message."

    similar: bang, directly, forthwith, headlong, immediately, incontinently, instantaneously, instanter, instantly, now, PDQ, plumb, presently, promptly, pronto, right, right away, right now, right off, straightaway, straight off, straightway, in no time, off the bat, on a dime, on the double, on the spot
    related: away, freely, anon, momentarily, shortly, soon, apace, briskly, fast, fleetly, full-tilt, posthaste, quick, quickly, rapidly, readily, snappily, speedily, swift, swiftly, abruptly, presto, suddenly, unexpectedly, hastily, impetuously, impulsively, rashly, recklessly, exactly, opportunely, punctually, seasonably
    near: slowly, late, tardily

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Once

The most common words with a similar meaning to Once:

Chiefly British: immediately
erstwhile, formerly, onetime, former, late, old, other, past, quondam, sometime, whilom, as soon as, instantly, when

Related Words for Once

bygone, dead, defunct, departed, expired, extinct, gone, long-ago, vanished

Near Antonyms of Once

lately, recently, currently, now, presently, contemporary, current, extant, ongoing, present, present-day, coming, future, prospective, unborn, after, directly, since

Origin & Etymology of Once

Middle English ones, from genitive of on one

First known use: 12th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Once

Words & Phrases Containing Once

once that, once again, once and for all, once in a while, once-over, once again/more

Frequently Asked Questions about Once

What does "Once" mean?

"Once" means one time and no more. As an an adverb, a noun, an adjective and a conjunction, it is defined as: one time and no more. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Once"?

Other words for "Once" include erstwhile, formerly, onetime, former, late, old, other and past. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Once" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Once"?

There are 24 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Once". Common alternatives include erstwhile, formerly, onetime, former, late, old, other, past, quondam and sometime.

How do you use "Once" in a sentence?

Examples of "Once" in a sentence: "I once knew the quotation, but time has taken its toll on my brain cells"; "the once child star is now a lawyer in the entertainment industry"; "you should have stopped wrestling once you knew someone was getting hurt, not five minutes later".

Is "Once" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Once" can be used as an adverb, a noun, an adjective and a conjunction, depending on the context.

Is "Once" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A1-level word, "Once" is typical of Cambridge A1 Movers (Young Learners), TOEIC Listening & Reading 120+.

How do you pronounce "Once"?

"Once" is pronounced /ˈwən(t)s/.

What is the origin of the word "Once"?

"Once" comes from Middle English ones, from genitive of on one. First known use: 12th century.