One Word Meaning

Old English ān, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch een and German ein, from an Indo-European root shared by Latin unus. The initial w sound developed before the 15th century and was occasionally represented in the spelling; it was not accepted into standard English until the late 17th century

the lowest cardinal number; half of two; 1

lowest cardinal number

• there's only room for one person
• two could live as cheaply as one
• one hundred miles
• a one-bedroom flat

the same; identical

same

• all types of training meet one common standard

a joke or story

joke or story

• the one about the Englishman, the Irishman, and the Yank

an alcoholic drink

alcoholic drink

• a cool one after a day on the water

alone

alone

• the time when you one tackled a field of cane and finished before the others had even started

referring to a person or thing previously mentioned or easily identified

referring to person or thing previously mentioned

• her mood changed from one of moroseness to one of joy
• her best apron, the white one
• do you want one?

a person of a specified kind

person of specified kind

• you're the one who ruined her life
• my friends and loved ones

used to refer to the speaker, or any person, as representing people in general

i, or people in general

• one must admire him for his willingness
• one gets the impression that he is ahead