once in a lifetime
idiom
: very rare or very rarely
a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
This sort of opportunity comes along once in a lifetime.
Examples of once in a lifetime in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Sharing this special day with you is once in a lifetime!
—
Michael Nied, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2025
The collapse of the Japanese empire ushered in an extraordinary—indeed, a once in a lifetime—opportunity for Koreans.
—Kornel Chang
september 19, Literary Hub, 19 Sep. 2025
That phrase ‘once in a lifetime’ is the heart of the matter.
—Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Opportunities like this come once in a lifetime.
—Jerry Mickelson, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for once in a lifetime
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.
Michael Nied, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2025
The collapse of the Japanese empire ushered in an extraordinary—indeed, a once in a lifetime—opportunity for Koreans.
—Kornel Chang
september 19, Literary Hub, 19 Sep. 2025
That phrase ‘once in a lifetime’ is the heart of the matter.
—Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Opportunities like this come once in a lifetime.
—Jerry Mickelson, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for once in a lifetime
Cite this Entry
“Once in a lifetime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/once%20in%20a%20lifetime. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share