SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

one-shot

adjective \ ˈwən-ˌshät \

Definition of one-shot

1 :that is complete or effective through being done or used or applied only once

there is no easy one-shot answer to the problem

2 :that is not followed by something else of the same kind

a one-shot tax cut

—

one-shot

noun

See one-shot defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of one-shot

1907

one-shot Synonyms

Synonyms

one-off, one-shot

Antonyms

frequent, periodic, periodical, recurrent, recurring, regular, repeated, steady

Related Words

nonce; inconstant, infrequent, intermittent, irregular, occasional

Near Antonyms

common, commonplace, everyday, familiar, ordinary, routine, ubiquitous, usual; cyclic (or cyclical); around-the-clock, constant, continual, hourly, round-the-clock; accustomed, chronic, confirmed, customary, habitual, inveterate; expected; annual, yearly

ONE-SHOT Defined for English Language Learners

one-shot

adjective

Definition of one-shot for English Language Learners

: done or happening only once

Learn More about one-shot

See words that rhyme with one-shot Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for one-shot

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up one-shot? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

WORD OF THE DAY

nuncupative

play

spoken rather than written

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

The Exceptions Quiz III

Which of these words does not mean "nonsense"?

Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ

Dictionary Devil

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Words at Play

alt-59ea52ed7b96f

Learned Fools: On Names for Students

Where did we get 'freshman' and 'sophomore'?

alt-59e900afadac6

The Synonyms 'Discover' and 'Invent'

In the past, you could invent fruit.

alt-59e8c3440f453

I'll Have the Us(ual)

Shortening 'usual': easy to say, hard to spell

alt-59e77dc36c593

The Origins of 'Lobbyist'

From the front hallways to the back rooms

Ask the Editors

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066

Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Don't get us started on 'bimonthly'

video-irregardless-grammar-peeve-blend-of-the-synonyms-irrespective-and-regardless

Irregardless

It is in fact a real word (but that doesn't mean you should use it).

video-moose-goose-weird-plurals

Weird Plurals

One goose, two geese. One moose, two... moose. What's up with that?

Word Games

one-green-toy-robot-amidst-many-red-toy-robots

The Exceptions Quiz III

Which of these things doesn't belong?

Take the quiz

knupfer-painting-solon-before-croesus

Forms of Government Quiz

Name that government! Or something like that.

Take the quiz

Name That Thing

Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

Take the quiz

Dictionary Devil

Dictionary Devil

The dictionary has been scrambled—can you put it back together?

Play the game