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
After my initial once-over with a regular towel comes my favorite part: Climbing into the oversized waffle knit robe that awaits me, hanging on my bathroom door.
—
Kayla Blanton, Peoplemag, 15 Nov. 2023
Calling an expert to give your heating system a quick once-over could be the difference between a smooth transition to winter and a mountain of stress.
—Abby Wilson, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Nov. 2023
Fey says to me, giving my disheveled self the once-over.
—Hazlitt, 7 June 2023
Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson (Pamela Dorman: $28) Old-money wealth gets a once-over in a novel following three women in a Brooklyn family. 7.
—The California Independent Booksellers Alliance, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2023
Mickey looked up from her phone to give the woman a once-over.
—ELLE, 26 Apr. 2023
Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson (Pamela Dorman: $28) Old-money wealth gets a once-over in a novel following three women in a Brooklyn family.
—The California Independent Booksellers Alliance, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2023
Replenishing Serum, which deeply hydrates parched complexions; cryo globes provided some much-needed de-puffing after five days of back-to-back shows while a once-over with SolaWave’s healing red-light wand helped create a plump and primed base for Kendall’s contouring.
—Celia Ellenberg, Vogue, 15 Feb. 2023
My friend, a Miami Beach resident and more appropriately dressed dining companion, had time to throw me one judgy once-over before we were ushered inside.
—Antara Sinha, Bon Appétit, 23 Mar. 2023
See More
Kayla Blanton, Peoplemag, 15 Nov. 2023
Calling an expert to give your heating system a quick once-over could be the difference between a smooth transition to winter and a mountain of stress.
—Abby Wilson, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Nov. 2023
Fey says to me, giving my disheveled self the once-over.
—Hazlitt, 7 June 2023
Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson (Pamela Dorman: $28) Old-money wealth gets a once-over in a novel following three women in a Brooklyn family. 7.
—The California Independent Booksellers Alliance, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2023
Mickey looked up from her phone to give the woman a once-over.
—ELLE, 26 Apr. 2023
Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson (Pamela Dorman: $28) Old-money wealth gets a once-over in a novel following three women in a Brooklyn family.
—The California Independent Booksellers Alliance, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2023
Replenishing Serum, which deeply hydrates parched complexions; cryo globes provided some much-needed de-puffing after five days of back-to-back shows while a once-over with SolaWave’s healing red-light wand helped create a plump and primed base for Kendall’s contouring.
—Celia Ellenberg, Vogue, 15 Feb. 2023
My friend, a Miami Beach resident and more appropriately dressed dining companion, had time to throw me one judgy once-over before we were ushered inside.
—Antara Sinha, Bon Appétit, 23 Mar. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'once-over.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1913, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near once-over
Cite this Entry
“Once-over.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/once-over. Accessed 1 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
once-over
nounˈwən(t)-ˌsō-vər
: a quick glance or examination
gave the menu the once-over
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