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one

one

1.0
Not divided and used as a single unit
  • adjective
  • /wʌn/
translation icon : solo
  • We could, but let's do one more step, OK?

So this boy has both hands, one leg up tickling me.

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Examples

  • I think we can do one more round.

  • I'll start by making one thing perfectly clear.

  • You can choose this one and this one, right?

  • And now we want to go one more higher, right?

  • So we're going to do this one this way.

  • So let's go ahead and try it one last time.

  • All right, Johnny, which one of these is it?

  • OK, let's leave that one exactly where it is.

  • First of all, it has one splendid harbor.

  • We want to work as one team for this project.

Synonyms

single
vsone
976 1.0

Applying to only one group or system

highlights the broader idea of being a sole unit or united in purpose too
individual
vsone
847 3.0

Relating to one person rather than to a group, or showing a person's own style

is broader, also referring to shared type or united purpose beyond lone persons
unified
vsone
127 4.1

Different parts join to make one whole

emphasizes being a sole unit or identical in type rather than formed together
undivided
vsone
  • Specialized
2 4.7

Property not split into parts and forming a single whole

focuses more on unity in purpose rather than merely absence of separation
unitary
vsone
1 7.0

Making different parts act together as one

is used more generally to mean a sole unit united in purpose

Idioms

1.1

At some time in the future

750 1.0

On a single occasion

649 3.7

To give one example among others

348 1.0

Again on another occasion

276 1.5

Among the top people or things in a group

186 1.4

Things happen one after another, not at the same time

112 2.8

In the past

107 1.9

Handle each person or thing in turn, not all at once

To introduce one of two contrasting points in a discussion

66 3.6

Only one thing or person like it exists

65 3.9

A single person or thing that is special and has no equal

60 3.2

Used to show one idea that you will compare with another

In a better position because you are ready before others

Exactly the same person or thing

To do a task slowly, handling each part before the next

32 2.5

Happening at the same time

square one
  • Informal
28 4.1

The place where you start again after something goes wrong

28 9.0

A very impressive or powerful example of something

23 2.8

All people without exception

An unlucky event you cannot always avoid

With no pause between actions or events

Things follow each other without a break

16 7.4

A short way to show approval or praise for something done well

Having more than one role or quality at the same time

In the same building where people or things are together

15 6.4

To accept something unpleasant so other people benefit

15 6.3

Wish someone a nice day or a good time as a friendly goodbye

A single sudden action that happens all at once

14 3.4

A group of people who are close and friendly like a loving home

12 4.3

To start again after a failure

12 8.3

To trick someone in a clever way so they do not notice

Decide or think of things during a situation without planning ahead

To finish something all at once without taking a break

A group of people all agree and speak or act together

To keep moving forward step by step despite problems

one for the road
  • Informal
7 6.6

A final drink, usually alcoholic, before leaving

7 1.0

For each person or thing separately

To do two things at once with one action

at square one
  • Informal
5 4.9

You must start again at the beginning after a failure

Stay half awake and watch for danger while you sleep because you are afraid

4 3.4

All at once without stopping

Risk all your money or chances on one plan

4 4.9

To have a very small number of people or things

To put your own needs before other people's

To try something new in a place or way no one has done before

To respond equally strongly when someone attacks or criticizes you

3 9.3

A clear top item on charts or rankings that is much more popular than others

3 8.0

Almost dying because of old age or poor health

3 9.8

To scold someone very harshly

2 3.1

To eat or swallow something in a single mouthful

to become one flesh
  • Literature
2 8.4

To join fully as a married couple, sharing their bodies and lives

Heard but quickly forgotten

Compounds

436 1.7

The first and most important person or thing in a list

310 1.3

A person you care about deeply, like a family member or close friend

129 1.0

One of three equal parts of a whole

111 2.7

Allowing travel in only one direction

one shot
  • Specialized
66 4.1

A single bullet and its case ready to be fired from a gun

66 3.0

A person's view in a discussion or argument

the Old One
  • Literature
62 9.9

A respected spirit of an ancestor who protects people and gives wisdom

61 1.0

One of two equal parts of something

58 3.2

A private meeting or match between two people

58 3.3

A thing that only one person can use

number one
  • Informal
50 7.6

Putting your own needs or interests before those of other people

50 3.1

Between two people with no one else present

47 1.0

One part out of every hundred parts

40 3.9

Made for only one person to use or to perform a show

36 6.3

A sexual encounter that happens for only one night and does not continue

32 3.5

When two people compete directly, often in sports

29 1.0

One of four equal parts of a whole

A ticket that lets you travel to a place but not back

26 1.0

A number equal to 1,000

24 1.0

A child or animal that is one year old

20 1.0

A single piece of food you put into your mouth at once

the Big One
  • Informal
19 7.9

A very large earthquake that causes great damage, often expected in California

18 1.0

One part of ten equal parts

17 1.1

One of five equal parts of a whole

15 3.7

A group showing agreement by all saying the same thing

one-liner
  • Informal
15 3.9

A short clever joke that fits in one line

14 5.7

Only one woman takes part

Made the same for everyone without any change

13 2.4

A kneeling position with one knee on the ground often used to propose marriage

fast one
  • Informal
12 8.2

A clever trick used to cheat someone

12 3.7

Having only one arm

12 1.0

One of four equal parts, for example of a cake or pie

12 3.4

People who are the richest one of every hundred and have most of the wealth

Someone close to you dying, like a family member or friend

9 3.3

A golf shot that gets the ball into the hole with one hit

8 5.6

An event that happens only once and is not repeated

A number equal to 120, ten more than one hundred ten

one shot
  • Specialized
8 8.4

Able to learn something new from a single example

7 1.0

One of six equal parts of a whole

A street where cars can travel in only one direction

The number 101

one-track mind
  • Informal
5 6.2

A way of thinking that focuses on one thing and ignores others

one-to-one
  • Specialized
5 4.4

Each thing in one group matches exactly one thing in the other group

5 4.1

Done in a single stage that needs only one main step

A number equal to 150

4 1.0

A piece of paper money worth one dollar that you use to pay for things

4 1.9

A quick look that gives enough information at once

one-horse town
  • Informal
4 6.0

A small town with few shops and little to do

one-trick pony
  • Offensive
4 6.0

A person or thing with only one skill

Trying to show you are better than someone by bragging

4 5.3

A person in a group who speaks very little and listens more than others

3 2.7

A golf shot that puts the ball in the hole from the tee in one hit

3 3.9

A short play with only one act

3 1.0

One of eight equal parts of a whole

One of one hundred equal parts written as 1/100

one-way street
  • Informal
3 5.4

A situation where only one person gives and the other only takes

one flesh
  • Literature
3 8.6

Two people joined in marriage who share life and act as one

3 2.3

One of seven equal parts of a whole

A number written as 130 and equal to one hundred plus thirty

one-step
  • Archaic
3 9.5

A fast ballroom dance from the early 1900s with quick walking steps

A number equal to 100 plus 70

one-horse
  • Informal
2 8.3

Small and not important, often far from larger towns

2 4.4

A person who does many different jobs alone, for example handling tasks or playing several instruments

one-star review
  • Texting
2 2.8

A comment that gives the lowest rating, usually one star

2 3.5

A card game where players try to get closer to 21 than the dealer without going over

A number equal to 125

A machine in a casino that gives money when you pull a lever

one-hitter
  • Jargon
1 8.2

A baseball game when the pitcher lets the other team get only one hit

One of a million equal parts of a whole

One of a thousand equal parts of something

A number equal to 180

A number that comes after one hundred fifty

one-and-one
  • Jargon
1 7.3

A free throw where making the first shot gets a second attempt

How Many

hundred
1.0
seventy
264 1.0
fifty
876 1.0
ten
311 1.0
one
1.0
zero
1.0

Surface Forms

one positive

Etymology

One as an adjective comes from the old word ān, meaning 'single' or 'undivided', and it describes things that are not split or that are the same. That's why saying 'one language' or 'one school' means they are a single, united thing.