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Added 8 October 2026

once

/wʌn(t)s/ adverb

In Latin: semel, aliquando Wiktionary

adverb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about once at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

One and only one time.
I have only once eaten pizza.
Formerly; during some period in the past.
He was once the most handsome man around.
At any time; ever.
If the facts once became known, we'd be in trouble.

conjunction

As soon as; when; after.
We'll get a move on once we find the damn car keys!

noun

Obsolete form of ounce.

Origin

From Middle English ones, from Old English ānes, a remodelling (after ān (“one”)) of ǣnes, itself an extension of ǣne (“once”) with the genitive suffix -es. Equivalent to one + -s. Cognate with Saterland Frisian enst, insen (“once”), West Frisian iens (“once”), Dutch eens (“once”), German Low German eens, ins (“once”), German einst (“once”). More at one (including regarding the development of the pronunciation) and -s.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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