# one-off

> English word · Adjective

## Definitions
1. Occurring once, independent of any pattern; one-time.
2. Special; remarkable; rare; unusual.

## Etymology
From one + off. Probably from foundry work, for which making reusable molds is expensive and expediency makes the rule for molds not to be used only once.
A term long used by artists who are printmakers and sculptors to indicate a unique print or casting. If using traditional edition numbering, a one-off would be a "1/1", which is said, "one of one" meaning the first print in an edition of one.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/one-off