one

UK: wʌn | US: wʌn

Definition

  1. n. the number 1; a single unit or thing

  2. adj. being a single entity or unit

  3. pron. used to refer to a person or thing previously mentioned or easily identified

Structure
one <single unit>
Etymology

The word "one" traces back to Old English "ān," meaning "a single unit." It shares roots with Proto-Germanic "*ainaz" and Proto-Indo-European "*óynos," reflecting its ancient and fundamental role in counting. Over time, its spelling and pronunciation evolved (e.g., Old English "ān" → Middle English "oon" → Modern English "one"), but its core meaning as the foundational numeral remained unchanged.

Examples

  1. She has only one sibling.

  2. One of the books is missing.

  3. He is the one who called earlier.

  4. They arrived one after another.

  5. This is the one I’ve been looking for.