onetime

1 of 2

adjective

one·​time ˈwən-ˈtīm How to pronounce onetime (audio)
Synonyms of onetimenext
1
: former, sometime
a onetime actor
2
: occurring only once : one-shot

onetime

2 of 2

adverb

: formerly

Synonyms of onetime

Relevance

Adjective

Adverb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of onetime in a Sentence

Adjective a onetime actor now turned singer with any luck, that was a onetime mistake Adverb an athlete who onetime competed in marathons on a regular basis
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
In addition, Bunnie Xo will reportedly receive a onetime lump sum of an undisclosed amount from Jelly Roll. — Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 31 July 2026 Bourke’s onetime Red Mountain neighbor was businessman Viktor Kozeny, according to WSJ. — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 27 July 2026
Adverb
Her assistant coaches, including former All-Star Sugar Rodgers, onetime Idaho standout Landon Tatum and team personnel Daisy Feder, Boki Wang and Kenny Wolfe, all far more talented than us, took it just as seriously. — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 19 May 2026 The internet’s onetime lovably messy provocateur has indeed turned over a new leaf, personally and professionally, and entered her Brand Safe era. — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for onetime

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1850, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of onetime was in the 14th century

Rhymes for onetime

See All Rhymes for onetime

Browse Nearby Words

one thing is (for) sure
onetime
one-time pad
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Onetime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/onetime. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

onetime

adjective
one·​time
ˈwən-ˌtīm
1
: former sense 1
a onetime boxing champion
2
: happening only once
a onetime event

More from Merriam-Webster on onetime

Nglish: Translation of onetime for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All