Standard Lemma guide

sekali

adv · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Singapore: /ˈs(ə)kɑli/
  • Singapore: [ˈska(ː)˧.li˦]
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

adv

Meaning 1

What if, lest (something problematic or unanticipated happens)

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: Singlish, not-comparable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: later

Antonyms: none provided

2

adv

Meaning 2

Suddenly and unexpectedly.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: Singlish, not-comparable

Qualifier: at the beginning of a clause

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Semantic shift from Malay sekali (“once”).