once-over

noun

ˌwən(t)s-ˈō-vər How to pronounce once-over (audio)
ˈwən(t)s-ˌō-
: a swift examination or survey
especially : a swift comprehensive appraising glance
gave me the once-over

Examples of once-over in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web After my initial once-over with a regular towel comes my favorite part: Climbing into the oversized waffle knit robe that awaits me, hanging on my bathroom door. Kayla Blanton, Peoplemag, 15 Nov. 2023 Calling an expert to give your heating system a quick once-over could be the difference between a smooth transition to winter and a mountain of stress. Abby Wilson, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Nov. 2023 Fey says to me, giving my disheveled self the once-over. Hazlitt, 7 June 2023 Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson (Pamela Dorman: $28) Old-money wealth gets a once-over in a novel following three women in a Brooklyn family. 7. The California Independent Booksellers Alliance, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2023 Mickey looked up from her phone to give the woman a once-over. ELLE, 26 Apr. 2023 Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson (Pamela Dorman: $28) Old-money wealth gets a once-over in a novel following three women in a Brooklyn family. The California Independent Booksellers Alliance, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2023 Replenishing Serum, which deeply hydrates parched complexions; cryo globes provided some much-needed de-puffing after five days of back-to-back shows while a once-over with SolaWave’s healing red-light wand helped create a plump and primed base for Kendall’s contouring. Celia Ellenberg, Vogue, 15 Feb. 2023 My friend, a Miami Beach resident and more appropriately dressed dining companion, had time to throw me one judgy once-over before we were ushered inside. Antara Sinha, Bon Appétit, 23 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'once-over.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1913, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of once-over was in 1913

Dictionary Entries Near once-over

Cite this Entry

“Once-over.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/once-over. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

once-over

noun
ˈwən(t)-ˌsō-vər
: a quick glance or examination
gave the menu the once-over

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