DictionaryAI

at once

adverb
USuht WUNS/ət ˈwʌns/UKuht-WUNS/ət ˈwʌns/

3 meanings of at once

Practice

  1. 1
    immediatelyadverb
    Right now, without waiting even a little while.

    Please come to the kitchen at once. The soup is boiling over.

    When the teacher saw the cut on his knee, she called the nurse at once.

    Similarimmediately, instantly, promptly, straightaway

    Oppositelater, eventually

  2. 2
    same timeadverb
    At the same time, together, not one after the other.

    Please don't all talk at once, because I can't hear anyone.

    He tried to carry five bags at once and dropped one on the stairs.

    Similarsimultaneously, together

    Oppositeseparately, consecutively

    Note
  3. 3
    in one groupadverbobsolete
    All together in one group, not apart or one by one.
    And they all atonce begane to make excuſe. The fyrſt ſayd vnto him: I have bought a ferme / and I muſt nedes goo and ſe it / I praye the have me excuſed.
    1526, [William Tyndale, transl.], The Newe Testamẽt (Tyndale Bible)Here, atonce means all together, every one of them at the same time.
    Note

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of at once apart? Answer 4 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

It is made from the words "at" and "once".