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one2 S1 W1 plural ones
1 used to mean someone or something of a type that has already been mentioned or is known about : 
'Have you got a camera?' 'No.' 'You should buy one' (=buy a camera).The train was crowded so we decided to catch a later one (=catch a later train).
'Have you got a camera?' 'No.' 'You should buy one' (=buy a camera).The train was crowded so we decided to catch a later one (=catch a later train).2 used to mean someone or something from a group that has been mentioned or is about to be mentioned : The children seemed upset. One was crying.
The children seemed upset. One was crying.3 used to talk about a particular person or thing in comparison with other similar people or things
5 used when one person or thing in a group does something, then the next, then the next, especially in a regular way : One by one each soldier approached the coffin and gave a final salute.
one by one
One by one each soldier approached the coffin and gave a final salute.6 if events happen one after the other, they happen without much time between them : One after another, tropical storms battered the Pacific coastline.
one after another/one after the other
One after another, tropical storms battered the Pacific coastline.7 if someone or something is many different things all in one, they are all those things : It's a TV, radio and VCR all in one.
(all) in one
It's a TV, radio and VCR all in one.8 formal used to mean people in general, including yourself : One can never be too careful. Great pictures make one think. ! This is a very formal use. People usually say or write you instead of 'one': You can never be too careful.
One can never be too careful.Great pictures make one think.9 used to emphasize that you believe something, will do something etc and hope others will do the same : I, for one, am proud of the team's effort.
I, for one, ...
I, for one, am proud of the team's effort.10 used to give an example of someone or something : There were several other people absent that afternoon, weren't there? Mr Ashton for one.
... for one
There were several other people absent that afternoon, weren't there? Mr Ashton for one.11 to have or get an advantage over someone ➔ one-upmanship
be one up (on somebody)/get one up on somebody
13
be at one with somebody/something
a) to feel very calm or relaxed in the situation or environment you are in :
b) formal to agree with someone about something : He was at one with Wheatley on the need to abandon free trade.
He was at one with Wheatley on the need to abandon free trade.14 informal used in particular phrases to mean 'an alcoholic drink' :
have had one too many (=have drunk too much alcohol)
(have) one for the road (=have one last alcoholic drink before you leave a place)
16 if many people do something as one, they all do it at the same time : The whole team stood up as one.
as one
writtenThe whole team stood up as one.17 a particular kind of problem, question, story etc : 'What do you attribute your long life to?' 'Oh that's a difficult one'.
a difficult/hard/good etc one
'What do you attribute your long life to?' 'Oh that's a difficult one'.19 to never do a particular thing, because it is not part of your character to do it : Tom is not one to show his emotions.
not/never be one to do something
informalTom is not one to show his emotions.20 to not enjoy a particular activity, subject etc : I've never been a great one for watersports.
not/never be (a great) one for (doing) something
informalI've never been a great one for watersports.21 used to say that someone belongs to the same group as you, or has the same ideas, beliefs etc : You can talk in front of Terry - he's one of us.
one of us
spokenYou can talk in front of Terry - he's one of us.23 used to say that someone has correctly guessed or understood something immediately : 'You're not painting the house again are you?' 'Got it in one!'
got it in one!
British English spoken'You're not painting the house again are you?' 'Got it in one!'24 used by some people to mean 'children', especially young children : She's got four little ones.
little/young ones
spokenShe's got four little ones.25 used to say that someone's behaviour is amusing, strange or surprising : You are a one!
you are/he is a one
British English old-fashionedYou are a one!
