once-over

noun

ˌwən(t)s-ˈō-vər 

ˈwən(t)s-ˌō-

: a swift examination or survey

especially : a swift comprehensive appraising glance

gave me the once-over

Examples of once-over in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Giving it a once-over with a can of spray paint is another way to achieve the same result. — Govert Schilling, Scientific American, 27 June 2026

But once a module is shipped to a site, local inspectors will often do their own once-over. — Calmatters, Mercury News, 16 Feb. 2026

But once a module is shipped to a site, local inspectors will often do their own once-over. — Ben Christopher, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026

Abatemarco bought him a seat next to his to Raleigh, where Valvano gave the new kid a once-over, then turned to his assistant. — Kevin Sherrington feb. 10, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1913, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for once-over

• carryover
• changeover
• crossover
• cutover
• flashover
• hangover
• holdover
• layover
• leftover
• makeover
• moreover
• passover

Kids Definition

once-over

noun

ˈwən(t)-ˌsō-vər

: a quick glance or examination

gave the menu the once-over