How to Pronounce "once upon a time"
expression
ˈwəns/ /əˈpɑn/ /ˈeɪ/, /ə/ /ˈtaɪm
WUNS uh-PAHN uh-TYM
wˈɒns/ /əpˈɒn/ /æɪ/ /tˈaɪm
WONS uh-PON uh-TYM
Definition
This phrase is used at the beginning of stories, especially fairy tales, to indicate that what follows happened a long time ago. It sets a magical or imaginary tone.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈwəns/ /əˈpɑn/ /ˈeɪ/, /ə/ /ˈtaɪm
British English
wˈɒns/ /əpˈɒn/ /æɪ/ /tˈaɪm
Simplified Pronunciation
US
WUNS uh-PAHN uh-TYM
UK
WONS uh-PON uh-TYM
Listen in Context
Once upon a time, there was a little girl who lived in the woods.
Once upon a time, a king had three sons.
Stories often begin with 'once upon a time'.
Once upon a time, people believed the world was flat.