English

Adjective

one-off ‎(comparative more one-off, superlative most one-off)

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

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

   • 1905, Foundry, volume 50‎, page 198:

     If such a casting was wanted in a hurry — a one-off job — there would be no question of molding it on a machine.

   • 2006 September 1, EIU Country Analysis, Malta: Country outlook:

     Moreover, given that recent measures to cut the deficit have been more one-off than of a structural fiscal nature, meeting this debt target is likely only

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

   • 2015 May 6, Colin O'Carroll, “Fermanagh woman thought registering a royal baby was a one-off honour... now Princess Charlotte has come along she's done it twice”, in Belfast Telegraph, retrieved 2015-05-14:

     A County Fermanagh woman has officiated at the formal registration of the birth of Princess Charlotte at Kensington Palace. It's the second time she's been on royal baby duty at the palace as she previously officiated at the registration of Prince George. She said at the time that it was a "one-off" honour, but that has now been disproved with a repeat visit for Princess Charlotte.

2. Singular; unique; special; remarkable.
   • 2015 May 13, Hunter Skipworth, “BMW to create one-off tribute to 3.0 CSL”, in Evo, retrieved 2015-05-14:

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

Usage notes

• Much more common outside US. Relative usage frequency 5% (COCA versus BNC).

Synonyms

• one-shot

Translations

Noun

one-off ‎(plural one-offs)

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

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

2. Something unique and remarkable.

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

Translations

See also

• break the mold, break the mould