AT ONCE

Pronunciation (US): (GB):

I. (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening

Example:

Come here now!

Synonyms:

at once; directly; forthwith; immediately; instantly; like a shot; now; right away; straight off; straightaway

Classified under:

Adverbs

Sense 2

Meaning:

Simultaneously

Example:

he took three cookies at a time

Synonyms:

at a time; at once; at one time

Classified under:

Adverbs

Credits

Context examples:

“And now,” continued the butler, addressing the knife-boy, “reach me a candle, and we’ll get this through hands at once.”

(The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

The storm, as is often the case in Switzerland, appeared at once in various parts of the heavens.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

I am in favor of riding down upon them at once, if my old friend and comrade here is of the same mind.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I hoist my flag on the Victory on Wednesday, and we sail at once.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

If you will help me with our prisoner, I think that we may get started for London at once.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

It does not have to happen all at once.

(Obesity in Children, NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)

Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) Has he/she had a change in eating behavior such as putting too much food in his/her mouth at once?

(NPI - Change in Eating Behavior, NCI Thesaurus)

The Woodman set to work at once, and so sharp was his axe that the tree was soon chopped nearly through.

(The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum)

Tiny nodules of moisture stood out on his forehead, and his shirt was wet with sweat from the exertion of doing so many unaccustomed things at once.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

Astrologers see time differently than other people—we see the past and future at once and plot them on curves.