once

1. not comparablefrequencyOne and only one time.

   I have only once eaten pizza.

   Synonyms: one time

2. not comparabletemporal locationFormerly; during some period in the past.

   I once had a motorbicycle.

   5 more examples

   He was once the most handsome man around.

   Once I didn't drive a big car, but now I own an all-terrain 4WD.

   Wang notes that flowers have rooted and grow in the area once covered with ice.

   Orion hit a rabbit once; but though sore wounded it got to the bury, and, struggling in, the arrow caught the side of the hole and was drawn out. Indeed, a nail filed sharp is not of much avail as an arrowhead; you must have it barbed, and that was a little beyond our skill. Ikey the blacksmith had forged us a spearhead after a sketch from a picture of a Greek warrior; and a rake-handle served as a shaft.

   1879, R[ichard] J[efferies], chapter II, in The Amateur Poacher, London: Smith, Elder, & Co., […], →OCLC

   The hovel stood in the centre of what had once been a vegetable garden, but was now a patch of rank weeds. Surrounding this, almost like a zareba, was an irregular ring of gorse and brambles, an unclaimed vestige of the original common.

   1944, Miles Burton, chapter 5, in The Three Corpse Trick

   Synonyms: formerly

3. not comparableobsoleteAt any time; ever.

   If the facts once became known, we'd be in trouble.

   1 more example

   Once bring in the police and what is inevitably bound to follow? There will be calls and interrogations and cross-questionings […]

   1934, Ernest Bramah [pseudonym; Ernest Brammah Smith], The Bravo of London

4. not comparableobsoleteOne day, someday.

   The wisdom of God thought fit to acquaint David with that court which we shall once govern.

   1612–1634, [Joseph Hall], “(please specify the page)”, in [Contemplations vpon the Principall Passages of the Holy Storie], volume (please specify |volume=I to VIII), London, →OCLC

5. not comparablemathematicsMultiplied by one: indicating that a number is multiplied by one.

   Once three is three.

1. As soon as; when; after.

   Near-synonym: immediately

   5 more examples

   We'll get a move on once we find the damn car keys!

   Once you have obtained the elven bow, return to the troll bridge and trade it for the sleeping potion.

   Once he is married, he will be able to claim the inheritance.

   Once he'd spied out my weaknesses, he'd know how to apply pressure.

   Not only were Jupp Heynckes' team pacey in attack but they were relentless in their pursuit of the ball once they had lost it, and as the game wore on they merely increased their dominance as City wilted in the Allianz Arena.

   2011 September 27, Alistair Magowan, “Bayern Munich 2 - 0 Man City”, in BBC Sport

   Synonyms: immediately

plural onces

1. obsoleteObsolete form of ounce.

plural Onces

1. slanglifestyleA fan of the Korean girl band Twice.