one-off

comparative more one-off · superlative most one-off

1. Occurring once, independent of any pattern; one-time.

   Seeing Halley's Comet is a one-off, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

   5 more examples

   The government insisted that the embarrassing loss of the tax records was a one-off event.

   If such a casting was wanted in a hurry — a one-off job — there would be no question of molding it on a machine.

   1905, Foundry, volume 50, page 198

   Moreover, given that recent measures to cut the deficit have been more one-off than of a structural fiscal nature, meeting this debt target is likely only

   2006 September 1, EIU Country Analysis, Malta: Country outlook

   A County Fermanagh woman has officiated at the formal registration of the birth of Princess Charlotte at Kensington Palace. It's the second time she's been on royal baby duty at the palace as she previously officiated at the registration of Prince George. She said at the time that it was a "one-off" honour, but that has now been disproved with a repeat visit for Princess Charlotte.

   2015 May 6, Colin O'Carroll, “Fermanagh woman thought registering a royal baby was a one-off honour... now Princess Charlotte has come along she's done it twice”, in Belfast Telegraph, archived from the original on 21 Apr 2023, retrieved 14 May 2015

   In July, South Western Railway and Network Rail ran a one-off Class 159 to Fawley, to demonstrate the line's viability. [...] A second 'fact-finding' trial passenger train for DfT officials is now proposed.

   2020 December 16, “Network News: "Robust case" for Fawley branch line reopening”, in Rail, page 14

   Synonyms: unique, singular

2. Special; remarkable; rare; unusual.

   BMW is to create a one-off tribute to the iconic 3.0 CSL.

   2015 May 13, Hunter Skipworth, “BMW to create one-off tribute to 3.0 CSL”, in Evo, archived from the original on 26 Sep 2020, retrieved 14 May 2015

   1 more example

   Grammy award-winning singer Celine Dion will reportedly earn $2 million for a one-off performance at the 2024 Olympics.

   2024 July 25, Chinomso Sunday, “Celine Dion to Earn $2 Million for Olympic Ceremony Song”, in newscentral.africa, archived from the original on 26 Jul 2024

   Synonyms: unique, singular

plural one-offs

1. CommonwealthidiomaticSomething that is done, created, etc. only once, and often quickly, simply, or improvisationally.

   Near-synonym: stand-alone

   2 more examples

   I'll put together a quick one-off as a sample so we can taste the recipe.

   But even as he announced the military operation, he appeared to be rapidly trying to get himself back to the middle by insisting that the strike was a one-off and that he continues to seek peace.

   2025 June 22, Luke Broadwater, “Trump Picks a Side on Entering the War in Iran, for Now”, in The New York Times, →ISSN, archived from the original on 22 Jun 2025

   Synonyms: stand-alone

2. Something unique and remarkable.

   Near-synonym: stand-alone

   2 more examples

   It is a one-off; there is nothing else like it.

   Frank couldn’t believe that his father had put Queenie back together and not told him. More secrets. More lies. The boy guessed that the coat of yellow paint was to disguise her. Queenie was a one-off. A Mini with a Union Jack painted on her would be a dead giveaway to the police.

   2017, David Walliams [pseudonym; David Edward Williams], Bad Dad, London: HarperCollins Children’s Books, →ISBN

   Synonyms: stand-alone