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 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 It’s also given the once-over by KEF’s Music Integrity Engine digital signal processing algorithms, just to be on the safe side. Simon Lucas, WIRED, 18 Jan. 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 Consumers will have an opportunity to customize items, and Hourglass makeup artists will be on site to provide once-overs and the brand’s signature beauty services. Sharon Edelson, Forbes, 3 Sep. 2024 Under World Triathlon rules, for the athletes to swim, competition waters must fulfill certain laboratory criteria, and also pass a sniff test and a visual once-over. Jessica Leigh Hester, The Atlantic, 31 July 2024 Aries March 21 – April 19 Your surroundings could use a once-over. Tarot.com, Orlando Sentinel, 20 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1913, in the meaning defined above

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

Dictionary Entries Near once-over

Cite this Entry

“Once-over.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/once-over. Accessed 24 Dec. 2024.

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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