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

Synonyms of onetime

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
But just three hours before the filing deadline, progressive City Councilmember Nithya Raman, a onetime Bass ally, launched a mayoral bid, shocking the city’s political establishment and upending the race. David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026 The onetime life of the party has gone dark, and her husband cannot cope with her isolation and anger. Daniel D'addario, Variety, 3 Feb. 2026
Adverb
In a podcast last week, onetime CBS News anchor Connie Chung clashed with her husband and shock show host Maury Povich over the impact so far on CBS. Paul Bedard, The Washington Examiner, 8 Dec. 2025 She was married only once, very briefly to Brazilian industrialist Roberto Seabra, and then had a 30-year relationship with Raymond Marcellin, onetime Interior Minister of France, before his death in 2004. Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 29 Nov. 2025 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

Cite this Entry

“Onetime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/onetime. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

onetime

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

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