one-time

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "one-time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as an adjective to describe something that happens only once; for example, "We made a one-time payment to cover our rent."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

(Another "one-time sale").

The New York Times

It's a one-time sell".

The New Yorker

One-time passwords.

Stanford University

Both winners are one-time California castoffs.

The New York Times

It's usually a one-time thing.

The New York Times

"It was just a one-time thing.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Remember, one time only.

Yale University

One time.

Forbes

variable at one time.

Bioresources and Bioprocessing

for one time step.

Advances in Difference Equations

One time..

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "one-time", ensure it clearly conveys that the event or payment will not be repeated. Clarity prevents misunderstandings.

Common error

Avoid using "one-time" when you mean "at one time", which implies a past state or condition that is no longer true. "One-time" refers to a single occurrence, while "at one time" refers to a past period. For example: "At one time, I lived in New York."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "one-time" primarily functions as a compound adjective, modifying a noun to indicate that something occurs only once. Ludwig examples, like "one-time sale" or "one-time event", illustrate this adjectival role. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Wiki

33%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "one-time" serves as a compound adjective indicating a singular, non-recurring event or action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and broad usability. It commonly appears in news, wiki, and academic contexts. To ensure clarity, use "one-time" to describe genuinely non-recurring instances, distinguishing it from similar phrases such as "at one time". The analyzed authoritative sources, like The New York Times, Forbes and BBC, confirm widespread and consistent usage of "one-time" across diverse writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

single occurrence

Emphasizes the singularity of the event or action.

isolated incident

Highlights the event as being separate and not part of a pattern.

unique event

Stresses the distinct and unrepeatable nature of the occurrence.

non-recurring

Focuses on the lack of repetition in the future.

one-off

An informal term indicating something done or made only once.

singular instance

Highlights that there is only one example of something.

once-only

Stresses the action is performed only a single time.

unrepeatable occasion

Emphasizes the uniqueness and impossibility of replicating the event.

limited duration

Focuses on the short or restricted period of the event.

episodic

Suggests the occurrence is part of a series but not continuous.

FAQs

How can I use "one-time" in a sentence?

You can use "one-time" to describe an event, payment, or action that happens only once. For example, "We offered a "one-time discount" for new customers."

What are some alternatives to saying "one-time"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "single occurrence", "isolated incident", or "unique event".

Is it correct to use "one time" instead of "one-time"?

While "one time" (two words) can sometimes be used, "one-time" (hyphenated) is generally preferred as an adjective to describe something that occurs only once. "One time" is more appropriate when used as an adverbial phrase indicating a specific instance or occasion.

What's the difference between "one-time" and "recurring"?

"One-time" refers to something that happens only once, while "recurring" refers to something that happens repeatedly or at regular intervals. For example, a "one-time fee" is paid only once, whereas a recurring subscription fee is paid regularly.