one-way
/ˌwʌn ˈweɪ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌwʌn ˈweɪ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈwən-ˈwā/ (ame, mw)
one-way — adjective
1. used for a road or traffic plan where drivers can go along it in just one direct
used for a road or traffic plan where drivers can go along it in just one direction.
The bus had to circle the block because Pine Street is one-way.
one-way street in traffic restrictions
Yara checked the sign before driving into the one-way lane downtown.
At rush hour, the city makes this bridge one-way toward the station.
Theo parked on the next road because this street is one-way after noon.
- one-directional
more technical and less common in everyday traffic talk
- two-way
allows traffic in both directions
文法句型
one-way street
one-way road
one-way system
用法筆記
Most often used with roads, streets, lanes, and city traffic systems. Distinguish from sense 4, which is broader and covers devices or channels that permit movement only forward.
常見錯誤
2. used for a ticket or fare that covers only the outward trip and not the trip bac
used for a ticket or fare that covers only the outward trip and not the trip back.
At the airport, Hana bought a one-way ticket to Manila.
one-way ticket for outward travel only
The travel clerk asked whether Saira needed a one-way fare or return.
contrast with return fare
Our student visa allowed only a one-way flight into Canada.
Vinicius kept the one-way bus ticket in his passport wallet.
- single
British English travel term for the same kind of ticket
- return
includes the trip back
- round-trip
American English term for a ticket that goes and comes back
文法句型
one-way ticket
one-way fare
one-way flight
用法筆記
Common in travel booking. In British English, a train or coach ticket with the same meaning is often called a 'single'. Distinguish from sense 3, which describes the journey itself rather than the ticket you buy for it.
常見錯誤
3. describing a trip or journey that goes outward only, without the return part.
describing a trip or journey that goes outward only, without the return part.
After graduation, Christopher planned a one-way train trip across Europe.
one-way + trip/journey
The one-way walk to the mountain hut took four rainy hours.
Liang booked a one-way boat ride to the small island village.
Ayesha saw the move to Seoul as a one-way journey.
- outbound
focuses on the going part of the trip, especially in transport systems
- return
describes the journey back
- round-trip
includes both directions as one travel plan
文法句型
one-way trip
one-way journey
one-way drive
用法筆記
Used for the travel itself, not the ticket. It often suggests there is no plan to come back by the same route, and sometimes no plan to come back at all.
4. made so movement, flow, or transfer can go forward but cannot come back the oppo
made so movement, flow, or transfer can go forward but cannot come back the opposite way.
The plumber fitted a one-way valve under the sink to stop backflow.
one-way valve preventing reverse flow
This website uses a one-way link, so customers cannot reply through it.
one-way link with no reverse path
Security staff opened a one-way gate for fans leaving the stadium.
The book chute is one-way, so returns drop in but not out.
- unidirectional
technical term used in science and engineering
- one-directional
formal or technical alternative
- two-way
allows movement or exchange in both directions
- bidirectional
technical opposite used in engineering and data systems
文法句型
one-way valve
one-way gate
one-way link
用法筆記
Broader than the traffic sense. This use often appears with valves, doors, gates, data links, and other systems where reverse movement is blocked by design.
5. used for glass or a mirror that lets people watch from one side while blocking t
used for glass or a mirror that lets people watch from one side while blocking the view from the other side.
Police watched the interview through a one-way mirror next door.
one-way mirror for hidden observation
The baby slept behind one-way glass while nurses checked him quietly.
Visitors saw the sharks, but the one-way glass hid the divers.
Ayana stood behind the one-way mirror and wrote notes all morning.
- clear
lets people see through equally from both sides
文法句型
one-way mirror
one-way glass
用法筆記
Usually used in police rooms, labs, hospitals, or animal areas where one group needs to observe without being seen. It names the special surface itself, not the whole room.
6. almost certain to lead to a bad result once it starts.
almost certain to lead to a bad result once it starts.
Skipping insulin is a one-way ticket to a hospital bed.
a one-way ticket to + harmful result
Another rent rise could be a one-way ticket to closure.
The coach said lazy defending was a one-way ticket to defeat.
Posting the password online is a one-way ticket to disaster.
- a fast track to trouble
similarly warns that something quickly leads to harm
文法句型
a one-way ticket to + bad result
用法筆記
Most often appears in the phrase 'a one-way ticket to ...'. It is strongly negative and suggests that the next bad result is very likely unless someone stops the process quickly.
常見錯誤
7. describing a relationship or pattern of effort where only one side keeps trying
describing a relationship or pattern of effort where only one side keeps trying or giving while the other does little.
After months of unpaid effort, Mila called the friendship one-way.
relationship is + one-way
The marriage felt one-way because only one partner kept apologising.
Trang stopped texting first when the relationship became too one-way.
The teamwork was one-way: Omar helped everyone, but nobody helped him.
- one-sided
the closest everyday synonym for unequal effort
- unequal
broader and less focused on emotional give-and-take
- unbalanced
suggests the exchange is out of proportion
文法句型
one-way relationship
the relationship is one-way
用法筆記
Usually used for emotional, social, or work relationships where support should move both ways. Distinguish from sense 6, which is about a process leading to trouble rather than unfair effort between people.