One — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun pronoun /ˈwən/

Meaning & Definition of One

One (adjective)

  1. being a single unit or thing
  2. being one in particular
  3. being preeminently what is indicated

One (noun)

  1. the first whole number above zero
  2. the number denoting unity
  3. the first in a set or series —often used with an attributive noun

One (pronoun)

  1. a certain indefinitely indicated person or thing
  2. an individual of a vaguely indicated group, anyone at all
  3. —used as a third person substitute for a first person pronoun

One (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a U.S. currency bill representing 100 cents

    "I don't have any ones on me just now"

    similar: bone (slang), buck, clam, dollar, smacker (slang)
    related: greenback, dead presidents (slang)

One (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. being the one or ones of a class with no other members

    "that's the one author I would stand in line for hours to get an autograph from"

    similar: alone, lone, one-off, only, singular, sole, solitary, special, sui generis, unique
    related: single, solo, unaccompanied, unattended, incomparable, inimitable, matchless, peerless, unequaled, unmatched, unparalleled, unrivaled, unsurpassable, unsurpassed, distinct, distinctive, individual, separate, nonce
    near: divers, manifold, multifarious, myriad, assorted, heterogenous, miscellaneous, mixed, motley, patchwork, promiscuous, varied, popular, prevailing, prevalent, rampant, perennial, recurrent, repeated

  2. known but not named

    "one person that I know said that it was the best movie he had ever seen"

    similar: anonymous, certain, given, some, unidentified, unnamed, unspecified
    related: particular, specific
    near: known, named, specified

Related Entry: One-dimensional (adjective)

One-dimensional is a different word from One. The synonyms below are for one-dimensional, not for one.

  1. having or showing a lack of depth of understanding or character

    "a one-dimensional analysis of a novel that has a lot to say about personal courage"

    similar: facile, shallow, skin-deep, superficial
    related: cursory, hasty, oversimple, passing, sketchy, aimless, desultory, haphazard, hit-or-miss, random, limited, narrow, restricted
    opposite: deep, profound
    near: discerning, penetrant, penetrating, definitive, hard, broad, complete, comprehensive, exhaustive, extensive, far-reaching, wide, general, global, inclusive, detailed, in-depth, critical

Related Entry: One-liner (noun)

One-liner is a different word from One. The synonyms below are for one-liner, not for one.

  1. something said or done to cause laughter

    "the senator deftly inserted some smart one-liners into an otherwise sober speech"

    similar: boff, boffola, crack, drollery, funny, gag, giggle (chiefly British), jape, jest, joke, josh, laugh, nifty, pleasantry, quip, rib, sally, waggery, wisecrack, witticism, yuk (slang)
    related: funning, joking, wisecracking, knee-slapper, panic (slang), riot, scream, thigh-slapper, antic, buffoonery, caper, leg-pull, monkeyshine(s), practical joke, prank, trick, burlesque, caricature, lampoon, mock, mockery, parody, put-on, riff, banter, kidding, persiflage, raillery, repartee, drollness, facetiousness, funniness, hilariousness, humorousness, comedy, humor, wit, wordplay

Related Entry: One-off (adjective)

One-off is a different word from One. The synonyms below are for one-off, not for one.

  1. being the one or ones of a class with no other members

    "an actress who commissioned a one-off dress from the designer for the Oscars"

    similar: alone, lone, one, only, singular, sole, solitary, special, sui generis, unique
    related: single, solo, unaccompanied, unattended, incomparable, inimitable, matchless, peerless, unequaled, unmatched, unparalleled, unrivaled, unsurpassable, unsurpassed, distinct, distinctive, individual, separate, nonce
    near: divers, manifold, multifarious, myriad, assorted, heterogenous, miscellaneous, mixed, motley, patchwork, promiscuous, varied, popular, prevailing, prevalent, rampant, perennial, recurrent, repeated

  2. happening only once

    "the tour is a one-off event to commemorate the band's 20th anniversary"

    similar: one-shot, onetime
    related: nonce, inconstant, infrequent, intermittent, irregular, occasional
    opposite: frequent, periodic, periodical, recurrent, recurring, regular, repeated, steady
    near: common, commonplace, everyday, familiar, ordinary, routine, ubiquitous, usual, cyclic, around-the-clock, constant, continual, hourly, round-the-clock, accustomed, chronic, confirmed, customary, habitual, inveterate, expected, annual, yearly

Related Entry: One-on-one (adverb)

One-on-one is a different word from One. The synonyms below are for one-on-one, not for one.

  1. in direct confrontation or competition

    "bragged that no one could go one-on-one with her in a game of darts and win"

    similar: eyeball-to-eyeball, face-to-face, head-on, head-to-head, mano a mano, toe-to-toe

Related Entry: One-shot (adjective)

One-shot is a different word from One. The synonyms below are for one-shot, not for one.

  1. happening only once

    "this offer is a one-shot deal; if you refuse, you won't get another chance"

    similar: one-off, onetime
    related: nonce, inconstant, infrequent, intermittent, irregular, occasional
    opposite: frequent, periodic, periodical, recurrent, recurring, regular, repeated, steady
    near: common, commonplace, everyday, familiar, ordinary, routine, ubiquitous, usual, cyclic, around-the-clock, constant, continual, hourly, round-the-clock, accustomed, chronic, confirmed, customary, habitual, inveterate, expected, annual, yearly

Related Entry: One-sided (adjective)

One-sided is a different word from One. The synonyms below are for one-sided, not for one.

  1. inclined to favor one side over another

    "my neighbor's account of how the feud got started was somewhat one-sided"

    similar: biased, parti pris, partial, partisan, prejudiced
    related: hostile, inimical, jaundiced, unfriendly, unsympathetic, colored, distorted, misrepresented, shaded, warped, convinced, influenced, persuaded, predisposed, prepossessed, swayed, affected, concerned, interested
    opposite: disinterested, equal, equitable, evenhanded, fair, impartial, neutral, nonpartisan, objective, unbiased, unprejudiced
    near: open, open-minded, persuasible, receptive, honest, just, reasonable, bipartisan, autonomous, independent, aloof, detached, dispassionate, hardheaded, impersonal, unemotional, cold, distant, remote, apathetic, incurious, indifferent, unconcerned, uncurious, unenthusiastic, uninterested

Related Entry: One-sidedness (noun)

One-sidedness is a different word from One. The synonyms below are for one-sidedness, not for one.

  1. an attitude that always favors one way of feeling or acting especially without considering any other possibilities

    "the obvious one-sidedness of the host means that his radio talk show isn't the open forum that he pretends it is"

    similar: bias, favor, nonobjectivity, parti pris, partiality, partisanship, ply, prejudice, tendentiousness
    related: chauvinism, cronyism, favoritism, nepotism, self-opinionatedness, self-partiality, bent, inclination, leaning, penchant, predilection, predisposition, proclivity, propensity, tendency, preconception, prejudgment, prepossession
    opposite: impartiality, neutrality, objectivity, open-mindedness, unbiasedness
    near: calm, detachment, dispassion, indifference, aversion, dislike, distaste, hate, scunner

Related Entry: One and all (phrase)

One and all is a different word from One. The synonyms below are for one and all, not for one.

  1. every person

    "Congratulations to one and all."

    similar: all, everyone, everybody, each and everyone
    related: anybody, anyone, somebody, someone
    opposite: nobody, none, no one

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for One

The most common words with a similar meaning to One:

Slang: bone, smacker
buck, clam, dollar, alone, lone, one-off, only, singular, sole, solitary, special, sui generis, unique, anonymous, certain, given, some, unidentified, unnamed, unspecified

Related Words for One

greenback, dead presidents, single, solo, unaccompanied, unattended, incomparable, inimitable, matchless, peerless, unequaled, unmatched, unparalleled, unrivaled, unsurpassable, unsurpassed, distinct, distinctive, individual, separate, nonce, particular, specific

Near Antonyms of One

divers, manifold, multifarious, myriad, assorted, heterogenous, miscellaneous, mixed, motley, patchwork, promiscuous, varied, popular, prevailing, prevalent, rampant, perennial, recurrent, repeated, known, named, specified

Origin & Etymology of One

Middle English on, an, from Old English ān; akin to Old High German ein one, Latin unus (Old Latin oinos), Sanskrit eka

First known use: before 12th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for One

Words & Phrases Containing One

-one, one another, one-armed bandit, one-bagger, one-dimensional, one for the book, one-handed

Frequently Asked Questions about One

What does "One" mean?

"One" means being a single unit or thing. As an an adjective, a noun and a pronoun, it is defined as: being a single unit or thing. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "One"?

Other words for "One" include bone, buck, clam, dollar, smacker, alone, lone and one-off. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "One" you intend.

What are different ways to say "One"?

There are 45 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "One". Common alternatives include bone, buck, clam, dollar, smacker, alone, lone, one-off, only and singular.

How do you use "One" in a sentence?

Examples of "One" in a sentence: "I don't have any ones on me just now"; "that's the one author I would stand in line for hours to get an autograph from"; "one person that I know said that it was the best movie he had ever seen".

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

"One" can be used as an adjective, a noun and a pronoun, depending on the context.

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

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

How do you pronounce "One"?

"One" is pronounced /ˈwən/.

What is the origin of the word "One"?

"One" comes from Middle English on, an, from Old English ān; akin to Old High German ein one, Latin unus (Old Latin oinos), Sanskrit eka. First known use: before 12th century.