once-over

noun

ˌwən(t)s-ˈō-vər How to pronounce once-over (audio)
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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
It’s also given the once-over by KEF’s Music Integrity Engine digital signal processing algorithms, just to be on the safe side. Simon Lucas, WIRED, 18 Jan. 2024 To avoid this most irritating scenario, give your high-traffic or mess-prone areas a quick once-over with the vacuum. Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 12 Oct. 2024 Consumers will have an opportunity to customize items, and Hourglass makeup artists will be on site to provide once-overs and the brand’s signature beauty services. Sharon Edelson, Forbes, 3 Sep. 2024 Under World Triathlon rules, for the athletes to swim, competition waters must fulfill certain laboratory criteria, and also pass a sniff test and a visual once-over. Jessica Leigh Hester, The Atlantic, 31 July 2024 Aries March 21 – April 19 Your surroundings could use a once-over. Tarot.com, Orlando Sentinel, 20 June 2024 After giving the place a good once-over, Martin retires to the bathroom in Dorinda’s old suite, finally knowing just where the door was in the all-white room. Brian Moylan, Vulture, 4 Jan. 2024 And remember to give your dog a once-over for ticks at the end of each day. Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 25 May 2024 Less costly inspections will still have someone under the car doing all the things that many sellers have already done – looking for leaks, inspecting axles and tires, and giving the car a good once-over. Josh Jacquot, Quartz, 17 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1913, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of once-over was in 1913

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 11 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

once-over

noun
ˈwən(t)-ˌsō-vər
: a quick glance or examination
gave the menu the once-over

More from Merriam-Webster on once-over

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