Meaning & use
one-time payment
Last updated
UK/ˌwʌn taɪm ˈpeɪmənt/
US/ˌwʌn taɪm ˈpeɪmənt/
Meaning
nouncountable
A payment made only once, not regularly or repeatedly.
Grammar: Countable; use 'a one-time payment' or 'one-time payments'.
Patterns
- a one-time payment
- make a one-time payment
- one-time payment of $100
The software costs a one-time payment of $50.
They offered a one-time payment to settle the debt.
You can make a one-time payment online without setting up an account.
Word forms
| plural | one-time payments |
|---|
Common combinations
- a one-time payment
- The membership requires a one-time payment.
- make a one-time payment
- You can make a one-time payment by credit card.
- one-time payment of
- She received a one-time payment of $500.
Synonyms and how they differ
- lump sum
- Often a large amount paid at once instead of in installments; 'one-time payment' just means it happens once.
- single payment
- Very similar, but 'single' emphasizes one payment rather than one occasion.
Opposites
installmentrecurring payment
Commonly confused: one-time payment or one-time?
one-time payment vs one-time
As an adjective, 'one-time' can also mean 'former' (e.g., a one-time champion), so context matters.
Practice
Instead of monthly fees, the gym charges a ______ payment.
Choose one answer.
Use the adjective 'one-time' before a noun. 'One time' is an adverbial phrase (e.g., 'I went there one time').
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “one-time payment”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
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