What is once? How to use in English

Definition & pronunciation of once

onceadverb

một lần, khi mà, ngay khi, một khi

/wʌns/

Definition & pronunciation of <b>once</b>

Where does the word once come from?

The word "once" has its roots in Old English. It comes from the phrase "on an þinc", which literally means "at one time" or "at some time". The word "on" meant "at" or "in", and "þinc" (thinc) meant "think" or "time". Over time, the phrase evolved into a single word, "once", which retained its original meaning of "at one time" or "formerly". In Middle English (circa 1100-1500), "once" began to take on a temporal sense, meaning "at a single past time" or "prior to the present". This sense has remained the primary meaning of the word "once" to this day, with its etymological roots still evident.

Vocabulary summary once

typeadverb

meaningonce

exampleonce is enough for me

exampleonce more: one more time

meaningonce

examplewhen once he understands

meaningbefore, long ago

exampleonce upon a time

typeconjunction

meaningwhen, as soon as, once

exampleonce is enough for me

exampleonce more: one more time

Example of vocabulary oncenamespace

meaning

on one occasion only; one time

  • I've only been there once.
  • He cleans his car once a week.
  • She only sees her parents once every six months.
  • For optimum effect, these drops are used once daily.
  • I had met Lou once before.
meaning

at some time in the past

  • I once met your mother.
  • He once lived in Zambia.
  • This book was famous once, but nobody reads it today.
  • She remembers once travelling with her father to Kilkenny.
  • I famously once said that I was a fighter and not a quitter.
meaning

used in negative sentences and questions, and after if to mean ‘ever’ or ‘at all’

  • He never once offered to help.
  • If she once decides to do something, you won't change her mind.
meaning

used with a preposition or another adverb to mean ‘as soon as somebody/something is/was’

  • Once inside the gate, Sam hurried up the path.

Synonyms and related words for once

Idioms of vocabulary once

all at once
suddenly
  • All at once she lost her temper.
all together; at the same time
  • I can't do everything all at once—you'll have to be patient.
at once
immediately; without delay
  • Come here at once!
at the same time
  • Don't all speak at once!
  • I can't do two things at once.
(just) for once | just this once
(informal)on this occasion (which is in contrast to what happens usually)
  • Just for once he arrived on time.
  • Can't you be nice to each other just this once?
going once, going twice, sold
said by an auctioneer to show that an item has been sold
    once again | once more
    one more time; another time
    • Once again the train was late.
    • Let me hear it just once more.
    once a…, always a…
    used to say that somebody cannot change
    • Once an actor, always an actor.
    once bitten, twice shy
    (saying)after an unpleasant experience you are careful to avoid something similar
      once (and) for all
      now and for the last time; finally or completely
      • We need to settle this once and for all.
      once in a blue moon
      (informal)very rarely
        (every) once in a while
        occasionally
        • Everybody makes a mistake once in a while.
        once or twice
        a few times
        • I don't know her well, I've only met her once or twice.
        once too often
        used to say that somebody has done something wrong or stupid again, and this time they will suffer because of it
        • You've tried that trick once too often.
        once upon a time
        used, especially at the beginning of stories, to mean ‘a long time ago in the past’
        • Once upon a time there was a beautiful princess.

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