[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/once/) [dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [O](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/o/) / once # once adverb (once); conjunction (once); noun (the once — casual) «once» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova. ## Everyday 1. Once means one time. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/once/#m1) 2. Once means at some time in the past: «Once there was a king». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/once/#m2) 3. Once can also mean «as soon as»: «Once you finish, you can play». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/once/#m3) 4. «At once» means now, right away, or at the same time. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/once/#m4) 5. (casual) «For once» means this time, unlike usual, often with a complaint: «Be on time for once!» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/once/#m5) 6. (casual, UK, Ireland) «The once» means one time only: «I only did it the once.» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/once/#m6) 7. (formal) «Upon» and «subsequent to» replace «once» in stiff writing: «Upon completion of the task…» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/once/#m7) 8. «Once-over» (informal) is a quick look: «give it the once-over». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/once/#m8) ### In the lessons In maths: one time; «once a week» gives a rate; «once she had…» starts a step. In everyday life: «once a day», «once in a while», «just this once». In stories: «Once upon a time» begins fairy tales. In science: «once the water boils» marks a step. In casual talk: «for once», «once and for all». In the exam voice: «upon reaching», «on a single occasion». Phrases: «once more», «once again», «all at once», «once in a blue moon» (very rarely), «once and for all». ### Examples - She visits her grandma once a week. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/once/#x1) - He ran around the track once. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/once/#x2) - Once he had 10 stamps, he stopped. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/once/#x3) - Once upon a time there lived a little fox. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/once/#x4) - Come here at once! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/once/#x5) - Once the ice melts, the water level rises. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/once/#x6) - I have been to London once. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/once/#x7) - Just this once, you can stay up late. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/once/#x8) - tidy your room for once, it's a tip (casual, annoyed) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/once/#x9) - I only went the once, honest (casual, UK) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/once/#x10) - Shut up and listen for once in your life. (rough) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/once/#x11) - A pupil visits the library on a single occasion per week; determine the number of visits over a period of 9 weeks. (formal exam) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/once/#x12) - Go and behead him at once. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/once/#x13) ### Note «Once» = 1 time; «once a week» is a rate (1 per week). Trap: «twice» = 2 times, «once» = 1, not zero. Sounds like «wunce». «At once» can mean «immediately» or «all together», so read the sentence. «Once more» means one more time. «For once» is usually a complaint, not a count. «Once in a blue moon» = very rarely, not a number. Formal «on a single occasion» = once. ## In Jewish tradition In maths: one time; «once a week» gives a rate; «once she had…» starts a step. In everyday life: «once a day», «once in a while», «just this once». In stories: «Once upon a time» begins fairy tales. In science: «once the water boils» marks a step. In casual talk: «for once», «once and for all». In the exam voice: «upon reaching», «on a single occasion». Phrases: «once more», «once again», «all at once», «once in a blue moon» (very rarely), «once and for all». ### Examples - And he said: 'Oh, let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once. (Torah GEN.18.32, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/O/once/#x1) - And Caleb stilled the people toward Moses, and said: 'We should go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.' (Torah NUM.13.30, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/O/once/#x2) - Now therefore forgive, I pray thee, my sin only this once, and entreat the LORD your God, that He may take away from me this death only.' (Torah EXO.10.17, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/O/once/#x3) - Is a nation brought forth at once? (Prophets ISA.66.8, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/O/once/#x4) - God hath spoken once, twice have I heard this: that strength belongeth unto God; (Writings PSA.62.12, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/O/once/#x5) - Once have I sworn by My holiness: Surely I will not be false unto David; (Writings PSA.89.36, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/O/once/#x6) ### Note «Once» = 1 time; «once a week» is a rate (1 per week). Trap: «twice» = 2 times, «once» = 1, not zero. Sounds like «wunce». «At once» can mean «immediately» or «all together», so read the sentence. «Once more» means one more time. «For once» is usually a complaint, not a count. «Once in a blue moon» = very rarely, not a number. Formal «on a single occasion» = once. ## On Mova - [Trees and pragmatics of «once» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/once/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«once» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/once.html) on Mova free. - [Trees and pragmatics of «once» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/O/once/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«once» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/once.html) on Mova free.