Meaning & use
single-shot
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Meanings
adjectivebefore a noun
Describing a gun or device that fires or acts only once before it must be reloaded or reset.
Grammar: Used before a noun, as in 'a single-shot rifle'.
Patterns
- a single-shot weapon
- a single-shot device
He owns an old single-shot rifle that belonged to his grandfather.
The single-shot pistol was reliable but slow to reload.
In target practice, a single-shot gun forces you to make every shot count.
adjectivebefore a noun
Done or happening only once, without a second chance or repetition.
Grammar: Used before a noun; often describes an attempt, opportunity, or process.
Patterns
- a single-shot attempt
- a single-shot opportunity
The space mission was a single-shot attempt with no possibility of rescue.
They treated the interview as a single-shot opportunity to impress the board.
The vaccine was designed as a single-shot treatment, so patients needed only one dose.
Common combinations
- single-shot rifle
- The hunter carried a single-shot rifle into the woods.
- single-shot pistol
- A single-shot pistol can be safer for beginners because it fires slowly.
- single-shot attempt
- It was a single-shot attempt, and they knew they couldn't fail.
- single-shot vaccine
- The single-shot vaccine was easier to distribute in remote areas.
Synonyms and how they differ
- one-shot
- More informal and often used for things like deals or attempts; 'single-shot' is more common for weapons and technical devices.
- disposable
- Focuses on being thrown away after one use; 'single-shot' focuses on firing or acting only once, not on being discarded.
Opposites
Commonly confused: single-shot or single shot?
single-shot vs single shot
Written as two words, it is a noun phrase meaning one instance of firing a gun or one attempt; the hyphenated adjective 'single-shot' describes the weapon or attempt itself.
Practice
The old soldier preferred a ______ rifle because it never jammed.
Choose one answer.
The hyphenated adjective 'single-shot' correctly describes the rifle before the noun. 'Single shot' is a noun phrase and would need a different structure, while the other forms are not standard adjectives.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “single-shot”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.