one

one · number

imported

Definitions

number

  1. 1.

    The lowest cardinal number; a single unit.

  2. 2.

    Used to refer to a person or thing previously mentioned or easily identified.

  3. 3.

    A person of a specified kind.

  4. 4.

    Used to refer to people in general, including the speaker.

  5. 5.

    Single; only.

  6. 6.

    The same; united.

Forms

plural: ones

Related words

See also: alone, first, once, single
Synonyms: individual, single, sole

Etymology

From Old English ān meaning "one, single, only," from Proto-Germanic ainaz, from Proto-Indo-European root oi-no- meaning "one, unique." The word has cognates in German ein, Dutch een, and Latin unus. The pronunciation shifted from /aːn/ to /wʌn/ in Middle English.