onetime

1 of 2

adjective

one·​time ˈwən-ˈtīm 

1

: former, sometime

a onetime actor

2

: occurring only once : one-shot

onetime

2 of 2

adverb

: formerly

Synonyms of onetime

Adjective

• occasional

Adverb

• formerly
• once

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

Adjective

But three years later, the Microsoft cofounder and the onetime world’s richest man is warning that bad actors can use the technology to kill on a mass scale. — Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2026

No, the Unabomber, a onetime math genius and professor named Ted Kaczynski, was basically a hermit nerd in a Montana cabin who mailed bombs to scientists, engineers, professors, and other elites. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026

Adverb

Her assistant coaches, including former All-Star Sugar Rodgers, onetime Idaho standout Landon Tatum and team personnel Daisy Feder, Boki Wang and Kenny Wolfe, all far more talented than us, took it just as seriously. — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 19 May 2026

The internet’s onetime lovably messy provocateur has indeed turned over a new leaf, personally and professionally, and entered her Brand Safe era. — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1850, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for onetime

• aforetime
• allozyme
• anytime
• christmastime
• cybercrime
• dinnertime
• guggenheim
• isozyme
• lysozyme
• maritime
• mesenchyme
• overtime

Kids Definition

onetime

adjective

one·​time

ˈwən-ˌtīm

1

: former sense 1

a onetime boxing champion

2

: happening only once

a onetime event