At once Meaning in English
expression
ˈæt/ /ˈwəns
AT WUHNS
ˈæt/ /wˈɒns
AT WONS
Definition
'At once' means either immediately, without waiting, or happening at the same time.
Usage & Nuances
Slightly formal; used in both spoken and written English. Common for instructions ('Come here at once!') and describing actions ('She can do many things at once'). Distinguish from 'at once' (immediately) and 'at the same time'. Often appears in urgent contexts.
Spanish: inmediatamente - al mismo tiempoPortuguese (BR): imediatamente - ao mesmo tempoPortuguese (PT): imediatamente - ao mesmo tempoChinese (Simplified): 立刻 - 同时Chinese (Traditional): 立刻 - 同時Hindi: तुरंत - एक साथArabic: فوراً - في نفس الوقتBengali: একবারে - একসাথে - দেরি না করেRussian: сразу - одновременноJapanese: すぐに - 同時にVietnamese: ngay lập tức - cùng một lúcKorean: 즉시 - 한 번에 - 동시에Turkish: hemen - aynı andaUrdu: فوراً - ایک ہی وقت میںIndonesian: segera - sekaligus - pada saat yang sama
Example Sentences
Please come here at once.
basic
He answered my question at once.
basic
She can do three things at once.
basic
The alarm rang, and everyone left the building at once.
natural
Don't shout all at once—I can't understand you!
natural
Everything seemed to happen at once that day.
natural