one
[wˈʌn] /ˈwən/ (ame, mw) · /wʌn/ (bre, ipa) · [wˈʌn] /wʌn/ (ame, ipa)
one — noun
1. the counting number after zero and before two, or the sign used to write it.
the counting number after zero and before two, or the sign used to write it.
Write a one in the last box on the form.
write a one
On the math quiz, Nora's one looked too much like a seven.
the written sign for the number
In the elevator, the floor light changed from zero to one.
At school, Nora counted zero, one, two without help.
Grandpa wrote a one beside the date on Mia's birthday card.
- number one
the most usual spoken name for this number
- digit 1
more exact when talking about the written symbol
- figure 1
used in teaching or technical contexts for the written sign
文法句型
the number one
write a one
circle the one
用法筆記
Common in counting, scores, dates, and handwriting. Distinguish from noun sense 2, which means a single person or thing rather than the number itself.
常見錯誤
2. one person or thing taken alone, especially after a larger number has been menti
one person or thing taken alone, especially after a larger number has been mentioned.
We ordered six bowls, but the waiter brought only one.
only one after a larger number
Only one came to help when Grandma slipped on the steps.
only one for a single person
Of the four plates Dad packed, one broke on the road.
Three baby turtles hatched, but one stayed inside the egg.
At the school fair, Mira sold every cookie except one.
- individual
more formal and most often used for a person
- item
used for objects rather than people
- unit
common in counting goods, parts, or products
文法句型
only one
just one
one + verb
except one
用法筆記
Often comes after another number or quantity phrase, when the listener already knows what kind of person or thing is meant. Distinguish from sense 1, which names the number or written sign itself.
常見錯誤
one — adjective
- onepositive
- onercomparative
- onestsuperlative
1. existing as just a single whole or item, rather than several separate parts or e
existing as just a single whole or item, rather than several separate parts or examples.
From above, the lake looked like one dark circle.
one + noun for a single whole shape
The clay horse came out of the mold as one piece.
By morning, the ice had frozen into one hard sheet.
The old quilt was sewn from one long strip of cloth.
文法句型
one + shape noun
one + piece/unit noun
one + material noun
用法筆記
Often used in descriptions of shape, material, or physical form. Distinguish from sense 5, where several parts or people are acting together as a whole.
2. used to point to a particular person or thing that the speaker has in mind.
used to point to a particular person or thing that the speaker has in mind.
One parent from Class 3B offered to drive the children home.
formal: one + person noun
The parcel was signed for by one Ms Huang downstairs.
formal: one + title + surname
We kept getting calls from one man near the bus station.
One witness said the red taxi turned left at the market.
- certain
commoner and slightly less formal
- particular
stresses that the exact person or thing is meant
- specific
more neutral and often used outside this naming pattern
- another
points to a different person or thing instead of the one identified
文法句型
one + person noun
one + title + surname
用法筆記
Most often seen in formal reporting or storytelling when the speaker singles out one particular person without making that person central. Distinguish from sense 1, which is about a single unit rather than a specific individual.
常見錯誤
3. used before a noun to stress that someone or something is a very striking exampl
used before a noun to stress that someone or something is a very striking example of that description.
That was one cold swim for a January morning.
informal emphasis: one + adjective + noun
Mr. Vega is one patient coach with nervous beginners.
After the storm, the beach was one muddy mess.
The singer gave one strong performance after last week's illness.
文法句型
one + adjective + noun
one + noun
用法筆記
Common in speech for emphasis, often with approval, surprise, or strong feeling. Distinguish from sense 2, which identifies a particular person, not an especially vivid example.
常見錯誤
4. matching in type or quality, rather than differing from each other.
matching in type or quality, rather than differing from each other.
By noon, all the lunch boxes were one color.
be one + color
At the sale, all the scarves were one price.
be one + price
After the repainting, every door was one shade of blue.
On the video, the man at noon and our driver were one and the same.
文法句型
be one + color/size/type
one and the same
用法筆記
Often used after a linking verb in descriptions of color, size, price, or type. The fixed phrase 'one and the same' adds strong emphasis that there is no difference.
常見錯誤
5. joined so that separate parts act as a whole, or sharing the same opinion or aim
joined so that separate parts act as a whole, or sharing the same opinion or aim.
After the merger, the two shops became one company.
become one = form a single whole
At the town meeting, the neighbors were one in opposing the highway.
be one in + -ing for shared opinion
Under the stage lights, the dancers moved as one.
When the river burst, the village stood as one behind the sandbags.
文法句型
become one
move as one
be one in + -ing
用法筆記
Often appears after a linking verb or in set phrases such as 'as one' and 'one in ...'. Distinguish from sense 4, which is about things matching in kind or quality rather than acting or thinking together.
常見錯誤
one — number / determiner
1. used before a singular count noun to show that the number is 1.
used before a singular count noun to show that the number is 1.
One child waited by the school gate in the rain.
one + singular noun for exact quantity
Rita bought one melon from the night market.
The doctor asked for one clean towel before the test.
One train leaves for Tainan at 6:15 from here tonight.
文法句型
one + singular noun
one child
one towel
one train
用法筆記
Used with singular count nouns for plain counting. Distinguish from sense 3, where 'one' is stressed to mean only one and not more.
常見錯誤
2. used before hundred, thousand, and units of measure, especially in careful or em
used before hundred, thousand, and units of measure, especially in careful or emphatic counting.
The bike ride was one hundred kilometers in the summer heat.
one hundred + unit or amount
The lake is one meter deeper after the heavy rain.
Ben raised one thousand dollars for the school band.
This rope is one centimeter too short for the box.
- a hundred
more everyday alternative before large round numbers
- a thousand
common spoken alternative with the same value
- a meter
common everyday alternative before a measurement unit
文法句型
one hundred
one thousand
one meter
one centimeter
用法筆記
Common when reading out full numbers or stressing a measured amount. In everyday speech, many people say 'a hundred' or 'a meter', but 'one hundred' and 'one meter' sound more exact.
常見錯誤
3. showing that the amount is limited to a single person, thing, chance, or event,
showing that the amount is limited to a single person, thing, chance, or event, with extra stress.
After the storm, one dry match saved the camping trip.
one + noun with emphatic single amount
Luca wants one more story before he goes to sleep.
The team needs one win to reach the final.
One wrong button can erase the whole message.
文法句型
one + noun for emphasis
one more + noun
one win
one wrong + noun
用法筆記
Usually stressed in speech and often used when everything depends on that single item or event. Distinguish from sense 1, which simply counts without extra emphasis.
常見錯誤
4. used before a noun to point to one member or part of a larger set that is alread
used before a noun to point to one member or part of a larger set that is already understood.
One student from Class 4B left a violin on the bus.
one + noun within a known group
One corner of the table is cracked near the leg.
At the zoo, one monkey kept shaking the empty bottle.
One page in this book is missing its picture.
- member
fits people or things inside a group
- part
better when referring to a section of something larger
- individual
more formal and often used for a person
文法句型
one + noun from a known group
one corner of
one page in
one student from
用法筆記
The larger set is usually named or easy to identify from the situation, such as a class, a table, a book, or a group of animals. Distinguish from sense 1, which gives the number without focusing on membership in a set.
常見錯誤
5. used before a noun to mark one person or thing as the one that matters most, or
used before a noun to mark one person or thing as the one that matters most, or as the sole one in that role.
Mina was the one friend who visited Dad every week.
the one + noun for the only important one
In that village, water was the one worry all summer.
Coach Lin is the one coach the younger players still trust.
For the twins, the dog was the one thing from home.
- secondary
shows a lower level of importance
- one of many
shows the person or thing is not unique
文法句型
the one + noun
one friend
one coach
one thing
用法筆記
Often appears as 'the one + noun' when the speaker narrows attention to a single person, cause, or object. It is stronger than sense 3 because it adds importance, not just quantity.
常見錯誤
6. used with a time noun for some day, season, or occasion whose exact time is not
used with a time noun for some day, season, or occasion whose exact time is not stated.
One day, I hope to open a tea shop by the river.
one + time noun for an unspecified time
One winter, our pipes froze for three straight days.
We should visit Taitung one spring when the hills are green.
One evening, Sarah heard drums from the temple square.
文法句型
one day
one winter
one spring
one evening
用法筆記
This pattern can point forward or back, depending on the sentence. If the exact date or hour is named, English normally uses that exact time instead of this vague pattern.
常見錯誤
7. used to show that two names, roles, or descriptions refer to exactly the same pe
used to show that two names, roles, or descriptions refer to exactly the same person or thing.
The shy boy in class and the drummer online were one and the same.
fixed phrase: one and the same
For Lina, home and the studio slowly became one and the same place.
The missing wallet and the bag under Ben's seat were one and the same.
At last, the writer and the woman in the photo seemed one and the same.
文法句型
be one and the same
become one and the same
seem one and the same
用法筆記
Mostly appears in the fixed phrase 'one and the same', usually after verbs like 'be', 'become', or 'seem'. Distinguish from adjective sense 4, which is about things matching in type or quality rather than being identical.
常見錯誤
8. put before a singular noun phrase, taking the place of the usual 'a' or 'an' to
put before a singular noun phrase, taking the place of the usual 'a' or 'an' to add force or surprise.
That was one long meeting for a Friday afternoon.
informal American: one + adjective + noun
Uncle Ray bought one huge pumpkin at the night market.
After the rain, this yard became one muddy mess.
The twins made one strange excuse about the broken window.
文法句型
one + adjective + singular noun
one + singular noun
用法筆記
Mainly North American and informal. It replaces the normal article before a singular noun phrase, especially with evaluative adjectives, and adds attitude rather than the idea of the number 1.
常見錯誤
9. put before a person's name to mean 'someone called ...', often when the name is
put before a person's name to mean 'someone called ...', often when the name is known but the individual is not.
The check was collected by one Mr Patel on Tuesday.
formal: one + title + surname
We received a complaint from one Kevin Lin in Tainan.
formal: one + full name
A package arrived for one Dr Singh at reception.
Police later questioned one Mrs Carter from the blue house.
- a certain
often similar in meaning, but it is less tied to formal reporting
- someone called
a fuller paraphrase that explains the meaning directly
文法句型
one + surname
one + title + surname
one + full name
用法筆記
Common in formal reports, complaints, and official-style writing. The speaker knows the name but treats the person as unfamiliar. Distinguish from adjective sense 2, which can single out a particular person even without using a proper name.
常見錯誤
10. sharing the same view or response so that people speak or act like a single grou
sharing the same view or response so that people speak or act like a single group.
During the strike, the cleaners and cooks spoke as one.
formal: speak as one
After the blast, the whole street moved as one toward the exit.
move as one
The board was one in backing the new safety rules.
At the vigil, parents stood as one beside the school gate.
- united
general word for people acting together
- of one mind
formal phrase stressing shared opinion more than shared action
- together
broader and less formal
文法句型
speak as one
move as one
be one in + -ing
用法筆記
Most common in formal patterns like 'be one in ...' and 'speak or stand as one'. It highlights public unity in action or opinion. Distinguish from sense 11, which is about inward harmony with someone or something.
常見錯誤
11. feeling completely in tune with someone, or fitting naturally with a place, idea
feeling completely in tune with someone, or fitting naturally with a place, idea, or situation.
On the trail, Mei felt at one with the wind and trees.
feel at one with + noun phrase
By spring, the new coach was at one with the team's style.
In the quiet temple, Aaron felt at one with himself again.
In the garden, the new stone bench was at one with the old wall.
- in harmony with
the closest general phrase
- in tune with
slightly more modern and less formal
- at peace with
often stresses inner calm more than agreement
- at odds with
shows conflict or disagreement
- out of place
shows a lack of natural fit with surroundings
文法句型
be at one with + noun
feel at one with + noun
be at one with oneself
用法筆記
Usually appears in the fixed pattern 'at one with + person or thing', often after 'be' or 'feel'. It can describe harmony with nature, surroundings, yourself, or another person. Distinguish from sense 10, which focuses on group agreement in outward action.
常見錯誤
one — number
1. the number written as 1, meaning a single unit.
the number written as 1, meaning a single unit.
The answer to five minus four is one.
used as a cardinal number
Room one is on the left of the stairs.
used in room numbers
One plus one makes two on this page.
Please write the number one at the top.
文法句型
one
one plus one
room/page number one
用法筆記
Used for counting, arithmetic, and labels such as room or page numbers. Distinguish from sense 5, which stresses that only a single item is involved rather than naming the number itself.
常見錯誤
2. one person or thing chosen from a larger set or group.
one person or thing chosen from a larger set or group.
One of the boxes still has Nina's winter coat inside.
one of + plural noun
One of our dogs sleeps under the kitchen table.
During the game, one player lost a shoe in the mud.
One of these photos shows my grandfather at twenty.
- member
direct noun for someone or something inside a group
- individual
more formal and less tied to an explicit group
- whole
means the complete group or thing, not one part of it
文法句型
one of + plural noun
one + singular count noun
用法筆記
Usually followed by an 'of' phrase, or the larger group is understood from context. Distinguish from sense 5, which focuses on the amount itself rather than selecting a member from a set.
常見錯誤
3. at some time later, when the exact day or hour is not fixed.
at some time later, when the exact day or hour is not fixed.
Let's have dinner together one night next week.
one + time word for an undecided future time
Mia says she will visit us one weekend in June.
We should drive to Hualien one day when the roads are quiet.
The twins plan to open a cafe one summer after college.
文法句型
one day
one night
one weekend
one summer
用法筆記
Used with time words for plans or possibilities in the future, without choosing a precise date. Distinguish from sense 4, where the speaker is referring to a specific occasion, often in a story or memory.
常見錯誤
4. on a certain occasion, without saying the exact date or time.
on a certain occasion, without saying the exact date or time.
One night, a fox ran across the road before our car.
one + time word in a story or recollection
One morning, Grandpa left a note beside the rice cooker.
One afternoon, the school bell rang an hour early.
One day, Emma found her old violin behind the sofa.
文法句型
one day
one morning
one afternoon
one night
用法筆記
Common when telling a story or recalling an event while leaving the date unstated. Distinguish from sense 3, which points forward to an undecided future time instead of back to, or sideways at, a particular occasion.
5. only one person or thing, rather than two or more.
only one person or thing, rather than two or more.
One clean plate is enough for the picnic lunch.
one + singular noun for quantity
The baby woke up after one loud clap downstairs.
One mistake can change the result of the whole race.
We found one dry towel in the bathroom cabinet.
文法句型
one + singular noun
one + countable event
用法筆記
Often used to contrast with more than one: 'one plate, not two' or 'one chance, not several'. Distinguish from sense 2, where the item is selected from a named group, often with 'of'.
6. with different jobs, features, or uses joined in the same person or object.
with different jobs, features, or uses joined in the same person or object.
The small sofa is a seat and a bed in one.
X and Y in one
On trips, Maria is the cook, driver, and nurse all in one.
all in one for combined roles
In our office, this printer puts scanning, copying, and faxing in one machine.
For the boys, the guide was teacher and friend in one.
- all-in-one
common adjective, especially for products that combine functions
- combined
general word for things joined together
- multi-purpose
often used for objects with several uses
- separate
keeps roles or functions apart
- specialized
made for one job rather than several
文法句型
X and Y in one
all in one
用法筆記
Common in patterns like 'all in one' or 'X and Y in one'. The subject is usually a person or product that combines several roles, qualities, or functions.
7. used before a noun to show that this is the single person or thing of that kind,
used before a noun to show that this is the single person or thing of that kind, with no other.
Mia was the one friend who stayed after the storm.
the one + noun for no other person
This is the one key that opens the old gate.
the one + noun + that-clause
Soup was the one meal Grandpa could eat after surgery.
In our class, Hana is the one student who bikes daily.
文法句型
the one + noun
one + noun + who-clause
one + noun + that-clause
用法筆記
Usually follows 'the' and comes before a singular noun, often with a clause that explains why no other person or thing fits. Distinguish from sense 8, which praises someone as exceptional rather than stating a literal fact.
常見錯誤
8. used, often in 'the one and only', to present someone as famous, admired, or unl
used, often in 'the one and only', to present someone as famous, admired, or unlike anyone else.
Tonight's guest is the one and only Chef Rivera.
the one and only + name
At the reunion, everyone cheered for the one and only Mr. Chen.
To the boys, Grandpa Joe was the one and only pirate captain.
On local radio, Ken remains the one and only midnight DJ.
- unique
describes someone as unlike others, but without the showy fixed phrase
- incomparable
more formal and strongly says nobody matches that person
- legendary
adds the idea that the person is widely admired or famous
- ordinary
not special or outstanding
- one of many
shows the person is not treated as unique
文法句型
the one and only + name
the one and only + role
用法筆記
Most often appears in the fixed phrase 'the one and only' before a name or role. Distinguish from sense 7, which simply means there is no second one of that kind.
常見錯誤
9. placed in front of a person's name when the speaker does not know who that perso
placed in front of a person's name when the speaker does not know who that person is, or mentions them in a distant way.
The note was signed by one Mr. Huang from Tainan.
one + title + name for an unknown person
Police questioned one Daniel Price after the fire at the shop.
The money came from one Mrs. Lee, said the clerk.
One Victor Santos called the office before lunch yesterday.
文法句型
one + Mr./Mrs./Dr. + name
one + full name
用法筆記
Common in reports, gossip, or formal narration when the speaker is not personally familiar with the named person. Distinguish from sense 8, where the name after 'the one and only' signals admiration, not distance.
常見錯誤
10. put before an adjective and noun to make the quality sound very strong.
put before an adjective and noun to make the quality sound very strong.
That was one messy kitchen after the birthday party.
one + adjective + noun for strong emphasis
We had one long walk home in the summer heat.
Kai gave me one silly excuse for missing the bus.
The cabin became one cold room after the heater broke.
文法句型
one + adjective + noun
用法筆記
Usually appears in spoken or lively writing before an adjective plus noun. Distinguish from sense 7, where 'one' picks out the only person or thing rather than intensifying a description.
常見錯誤
one — pronoun
1. used instead of a singular noun to point to the exact person or thing you want f
used instead of a singular noun to point to the exact person or thing you want from several options.
I tried three umbrellas, and the red one felt strongest.
adjective + one after choosing
Which one did Eva order, the fish soup or noodles?
which one for asking about a choice
At breakfast, the one by the window is mine, not Leo's cracked cup.
Of the two interns, Maya is the one from Kaohsiung.
文法句型
which one
the one + phrase/clause
adjective + one
用法筆記
Common after adjectives, phrases, or relative clauses that identify the exact choice: 'the red one', 'the one by the window', 'the one who called'. Distinguish from sense 4 IN COMPARISON, which is especially common after comparative patterns such as 'than the one ...'.
常見錯誤
2. used in 'be not one to ...' to say that someone does not usually behave in that
used in 'be not one to ...' to say that someone does not usually behave in that way.
Rosa is not one to complain, even on long train rides.
be not one to + verb
Our coach was never one to ignore lazy practice.
never one to + verb
Jin isn't one to forget birthdays, so I was worried.
The museum director is hardly one to break safety rules.
- prone
suggests a tendency toward something, often something negative
文法句型
be not one to + verb
be never one to + verb
be hardly one to + verb
用法筆記
Usually follows not, never, hardly, or another negative idea. The pattern is 'be one to + verb', and it describes a person's usual character rather than a single event.
常見錯誤
3. used in 'be one for ...' to say that someone enjoys that sort of activity or thi
used in 'be one for ...' to say that someone enjoys that sort of activity or thing.
I'm not one for loud parties after a week at work.
not one for + noun
Grandpa is one for early walks before the city wakes.
be one for + noun
Lena was never one for speaking in front of crowds.
If you're one for spicy food, try the noodles here.
- averse to
formal and stronger, showing dislike rather than liking
文法句型
be one for + noun
be one for + -ing
not one for + noun
用法筆記
Followed by a noun phrase or an -ing form, as in 'one for jazz' or 'one for staying home'. Distinguish from sense 2 NOT THE TYPE, which uses 'to + verb' and usually appears with a negative.
常見錯誤
4. used instead of a singular noun when a similar person or object is being compare
used instead of a singular noun when a similar person or object is being compared with another.
This sofa is softer than the one in our old flat.
than the one + phrase
Take the clean towel, not the one on the wet floor.
not the one + phrase
Her first phone lasted longer than the one she bought later.
The yellow taxi was cheaper than the one outside the hotel.
- that one
often points more directly to the compared item
- the other one
works when there are two clear alternatives
- the earlier one
adds time contrast rather than simple sameness of kind
文法句型
than the one + phrase/clause
the one + phrase after contrast
not the one + phrase
用法筆記
Most common when English avoids repeating the same singular noun after a comparison, contrast, or identifying phrase. It often follows 'the' and is frequent after 'than'.
常見錯誤
5. used to mean any person at all rather than someone already known or named.
used to mean any person at all rather than someone already known or named.
At the clinic, one should wash one's hands before touching the baby.
formal generic subject one
During a typhoon, one cannot trust the sea completely.
After the school briefing, one never knows which parent will ask for help.
At the clinic, one must wait and see whether the ankle heals.
- no one
means not any person instead of any person in general
文法句型
one should + verb
one must + verb
one never + verb
one's + noun
用法筆記
Formal and general in tone, often used in rules, essays, or careful speech. It can pair with 'one's' and 'oneself', unlike everyday generic 'you'.
常見錯誤
6. used by a speaker or writer to mean 'I' or 'me', often with a formal or joking t
used by a speaker or writer to mean 'I' or 'me', often with a formal or joking tone.
At this meeting, one is still waiting for the tea promised at noon.
one = I in formal self-reference
If one may add a thought, the front gate needs brighter lamps at night.
if one may + verb
One would like a seat near the door, please.
As for Aunt Mei's broken vase, one accepts full blame.
文法句型
one is + complement
one would like + noun
if one may + verb
用法筆記
Common in deliberately formal, old-fashioned, or humorous self-reference. In normal conversation, speakers usually say 'I' or 'me' instead.