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one-off

adjective

No English definition recorded for this entry.

L314417 on Wikidata ↗

noun

  1. happening only once
L314418 on Wikidata ↗

Wiktionary

adj

Etymology: From one + off. Probably from foundry work, for which making reusable molds is expensive and expediency makes the rule for molds not to be used only once. A term long used by artists who are printmakers and sculptors to indicate a unique print or casting. If using traditional edition numbering, a one-off would be a "1/1", which is said, "one of one" meaning the first print in an edition of one.

  1. Occurring once, independent of any pattern; one-time.

    The government insisted that the embarrassing loss of the tax records was a one-off event.

    Seeing Halley's Comet is a one-off, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

  2. Special; remarkable; rare; unusual.

    BMW is to create a one-off tribute to the iconic 3.0 CSL.

    Grammy award-winning singer Celine Dion will reportedly earn $2 million for a one-off performance at the 2024 Olympics.

noun

Etymology: From one + off. Probably from foundry work, for which making reusable molds is expensive and expediency makes the rule for molds not to be used only once. A term long used by artists who are printmakers and sculptors to indicate a unique print or casting. If using traditional edition numbering, a one-off would be a "1/1", which is said, "one of one" meaning the first print in an edition of one.

  1. Something that is done, created, etc. only once, and often quickly, simply, or improvisationally.

    Near-synonym: stand-alone

    I'll put together a quick one-off as a sample so we can taste the recipe.

  2. Something unique and remarkable.

    Near-synonym: stand-alone

    It is a one-off; there is nothing else like it.