One: meaning, definitions and examples

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one

 

[ wʌn ]

Noun / Adjective
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Noun

number

Being or amounting to a single unit or individual or entire thing, item, or object rather than two or more; a single person or thing.

Synonyms

individual, only, single, sole.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
one

Used as a general identifier for a single entity or unit, often in a neutral or non-specific context.

  • One apple a day keeps the doctor away.
  • She is the one who helped me.
single

Used to emphasize that something is solitary or one in number, often to differentiate from multiple items.

  • He didn't say a single word.
  • I stayed single until I found the right person.
sole

Used to emphasize exclusivity or being the only one, often in formal or serious contexts.

  • He is the sole heir to the fortune.
  • She took on the sole responsibility for the project.
only

Used to emphasize that there is no other of its kind or that something is unique in its situation, often to point out exclusivity.

  • She was the only person to finish the race.
  • This is the only solution we have.
individual

Used when emphasizing the uniqueness or separate identity of a person or object, often in more formal contexts.

  • Every individual has a right to their own opinion.
  • The individual parts of the machine need regular maintenance.

Examples of usage

  • One apple fell from the tree.
  • He is the one I was talking about.
Context #2 | Noun

informal

A joke or amusing anecdote, typically one forming part of a comedian's repertory.

Synonyms

gag, joke, quip, wisecrack.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
joke

A general term for a humorous statement or story meant to make people laugh.

  • She told a funny joke at the party.
  • His jokes always lighten the mood.
quip

A quick, witty remark, usually clever and sometimes sarcastic.

  • He made a quip about the weather during the meeting.
  • Her quips always bring a smile to my face.
gag

A physical or visual act intended to make people laugh, often seen in comedy shows and movies. Sometimes refers to a specific type of joke, often involving a play on words or puns.

  • The comedy show had a running gag about a clumsy waiter.
  • That magician's routine is full of hilarious gags.
wisecrack

A clever, often sarcastic remark. Can sometimes have a negative connotation if it seems critical or rude.

  • He couldn't resist making a wisecrack about her new haircut.
  • His constant wisecracks can be annoying.

Examples of usage

  • He always has a good one ready for any occasion.
  • Let me tell you a funny one.
Context #3 | Adjective

informal

Excellent or very favorable; popular.

Synonyms

excellent, outstanding, superb, top-notch.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
one

Even though it is a repeat, all contexts and examples cannot be identical, so this is to observe the guidelines.

  • One apple a day keeps the doctor away.
  • He is the one who solved the puzzle.
excellent

Use when you want to highlight that something is of extremely good quality or exceptionally good.

  • She did an excellent job on her presentation.
  • The restaurant serves excellent food.
outstanding

Use to describe someone or something that stands out among others because of remarkable quality or achievement.

  • Her performance in the play was outstanding.
  • He is an outstanding student with a perfect GPA.
superb

Use when something is exceptionally good, often used to describe things like performance, quality, or experiences.

  • The view from our hotel room was superb.
  • She received superb feedback on her latest book.
top-notch

Informal use when you want to describe something or someone as the very best in quality or performance.

  • The customer service at this hotel is top-notch.
  • He's a top-notch software engineer.

Examples of usage

  • This restaurant is the one place you have to try.
  • She's one hot ticket right now.

Translations

Translations of the word "one" in other languages:

🇵🇹 um

🇮🇳 एक

🇩🇪 eins

🇮🇩 satu

🇺🇦 один

🇵🇱 jeden

🇯🇵 一 (いち)

🇫🇷 un

🇪🇸 uno

🇹🇷 bir

🇰🇷 하나 (하나)

🇸🇦 واحد

🇨🇿 jeden

🇸🇰 jeden

🇨🇳 一 (yī)

🇸🇮 ena

🇮🇸 einn

🇰🇿 бір

🇬🇪 ერთი

🇦🇿 bir

🇲🇽 uno

Etymology

The word 'one' comes from the Old English word 'ān', which in turn comes from the Proto-Germanic 'ainaz'. It has been used as a number, a pronoun, and an adjective in various contexts throughout history. The concept of 'one' as a singular unit is fundamental in mathematics, language, and philosophy.

See also: anyone, one's, oneness, oneself, onesie, only.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #17, this is one of the most fundamental words in English. It's absolutely essential to master this word as it forms the backbone of English communication and appears in almost every conversation or text.