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once

WUNS/wʌn(t)s/

6 meanings of once

Practice

  1. 1
    a single timeadverb
    Just one time and no more.

    Like ringing a doorbell a single time and then stopping.

    I have only met him once.

    Knock once and then wait by the door.

    UsageSay only once or once a week. At once means immediately or at the same time.

  2. 2
    as soon asconjunction
    After something happens or is finished.

    Once the rain stops, we can go outside.

    Call me once you get home safely.

    UsageSay once you get home, not incorrect: once you will get home.

    Similarwhen, after

  3. 3
    in the pastadverb
    At some time in the past, but not now.

    This building was once a school.

    She once lived in a small town by the sea.

    UsageSay was once or once lived: this was once a school.

    Similarformerly, previously

    Oppositenow

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 4
    ever (with if)adverb
    At any time at all, used in sentences with 'if'.

    If the guards once doubt our story, we are finished.

    She feared that if he once guessed the truth, all would be lost.

  2. 5
    adverbobsolete
    On some day in the future that is not yet fixed.
    Note
  3. 6
    adverbdated
    Multiplied by the number one.

Practice

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

Origin

From Old English, based on the word for "one". Related to modern German einst ("once").

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 2 facts