In this sense, one-time means former. That person used to be this thing, and is not any more.

In this sense, one-time means former在這個意思裡one-time指的是「以前是」 That person used to be this thing, and is not any more那個人以前是這個身分現在已經不是了

A one-time champion once held the title. A one-time teacher later changed jobs. Writers like it in newspapers and life stories; it sounds a little neater than old and a little softer than ex-.

A one-time champion once held the titleA one-time champion曾經拿過冠軍頭銜 A one-time teacher later changed jobsA one-time teacher後來換了別的工作 Writers like it in newspapers and life stories作家在報紙和人物故事裡都喜歡用這個字 it sounds a little neater than old and a little softer than ex-聽起來比old俐落一點也比ex-柔和一點

Though actually, these same two words do another, very common job: a one-time payment is a payment you make only once. That is not former. It is once.

Though actually, these same two words do another, very common job不過同樣這兩個字還有另一種很常見的用法 a one-time payment is a payment you make only oncea one-time payment是只付一次的款項 That is not former那不是「以前是」的意思 It is once而是「只有一次」

So look at what follows. If one-time sits in front of a person or a role, you are probably in the former room. If it sits in front of a fee, a deal, or an event, you are probably in the only-once room.

So look at what follows所以要看它後面接的是什麼 If one-time sits in front of a person or a role如果one-time放在一個人或一個身分前面 you are probably in the former room你大概是在「以前是」這個意思裡 If it sits in front of a fee, a deal, or an event如果它放在費用、交易或事件前面 you are probably in the only-once room你大概是在「只有一次」這個意思裡

The former sense is a bit dressed-up. You would not often use it about your friend over dinner.

The former sense is a bit dressed-up「以前是」這個意思算是有點正式、講究的用法 You would not often use it about your friend over dinner你不太會在跟朋友吃晚餐聊天的時候這樣用