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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Check For Pests Give every plant a once-over before bringing them indoors. Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 30 Nov. 2024 Using a Dry Cleaning Cloth While Dusting Giving your furniture and shelves a once-over with a duster can stir up potential allergens, says Alan Goldsobel, MD, an allergist based in San Jose. Alyssa Shaffer, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Nov. 2024 To avoid this most irritating scenario, give your high-traffic or mess-prone areas a quick once-over with the vacuum. Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 12 Oct. 2024 Code the shareholders wished out before us like slugs in a... Conversion Karen Solie First impression of a hasty once-over. Max Ufberg, hazlitt.net, 10 Jan. 2025 Check For Pests Give every plant a once-over before bringing them indoors. Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 30 Nov. 2024 Using a Dry Cleaning Cloth While Dusting Giving your furniture and shelves a once-over with a duster can stir up potential allergens, says Alan Goldsobel, MD, an allergist based in San Jose. Alyssa Shaffer, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Nov. 2024 And truly, a medical pedicure isn’t your average nail salon appointment: Performed by technicians trained to spot the difference between a callus and psoriasis, say, every session begins with a once-over of the feet to assess their condition. Zoe Ruffner, Vogue, 22 Nov. 2024 To avoid this most irritating scenario, give your high-traffic or mess-prone areas a quick once-over with the vacuum. Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 12 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1913, in the meaning defined above

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Once-over.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/once-over. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

once-over

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

More from Merriam-Webster on once-over

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