once
wuhns
Once (adv) means On one occasion only; a single time. Example: “I've only been to Paris once.”
adv
1
On one occasion only; a single time.
"I've only been to Paris once."
"Read the instructions once before you start."
"We only go camping once a year, in the summer."
2
At some time in the past; formerly.
"This building was once a cinema."
"My grandmother once lived on a farm with lots of sheep."
"This quiet street was once full of noisy market stalls."
conj
1
As soon as; after.
"Once you finish your homework, you can go outside."
"Once the rain stops, we will walk down to the beach."
"I'll call you once I have got off the train."
How to use once
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOne single time, or formerly, or "as soon as."
Common pairings
once upon a time
once and for all
once a week
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I've only been to Paris _____.
Etymology
From Old English aenes, an extension of aene ("one time") with a genitive -s ending, related to "one."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for once
See all rhymes for once →Frequently asked questions
What does “once” mean?
The word “once” means on one occasion only; a single time. In plain terms, one single time, or formerly, or "as soon as.".
How do you pronounce “once”?
“Once” is pronounced wuhns (/wʌn(t)s/ in IPA).
How do you use “once” in a sentence?
Here is “once” used in a sentence: “I've only been to Paris once.”
What is another word for “once”?
Words with a similar meaning to “once” include oncet, yance and wunst.
What is the opposite of “once”?
The opposite of “once” — its antonyms — are four times, often, thrice and twice.
What part of speech is “once”?
Depending on how it is used, “once” can be an adverb and a conjunction.
Where does the word “once” come from?
The word “once” comes from Old English. From Old English aenes, an extension of aene ("one time") with a genitive -s ending, related to "one.".
Is “once” a common word?
“Once” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between 'once' and 'one time'?
Both mean on a single occasion and are often interchangeable: 'I've only been there once' equals 'one time.' 'Once' is more concise and idiomatic, while 'one time' can add mild emphasis or a casual tone. 'Once' also carries extra meanings that 'one time' does not.
Does 'once' only mean a single time?
No. Besides 'on one occasion,' 'once' can mean 'formerly' or 'in the past', as in 'this was once a farm', and, as a conjunction, 'as soon as': 'once you finish, call me.' The phrase 'once upon a time' uses that earlier-time sense.
What is an example of 'once' meaning a single time?
'I only met her once,' 'Take the tablet once a day,' or 'He knocked just once.' In each case 'once' fixes the number of occasions at exactly one. It answers the question 'how many times?' with the smallest possible countable answer.
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