Dictionary

sekali en · ADV

Pronunciation

• (US) audio
• [ˈska(ː)˧.li˦] (Singapore)
• /ˈs(ə)kɑli/ (Singapore)

Etymology

Semantic shift from Malay sekali (“once”).

Meanings

1. (Singlish, not-comparable) What if, lest (something problematic or unanticipated happens)
   • […] make sure he’s activated the right ringtone, sekali you, ahem, raise the wrong hopes. 2004 January 2, Colin Goh, The Sunday Times, Singapore, page L12:
   • […] the instruction all says to deep fry them, so dared not buy - sekali raw dough, how to eat? 2004, Bug [pseudonym], soc.culture.singapore (Usenet):
2. (Singlish, not-comparable, qualifier:at the beginning of a clause) Suddenly and unexpectedly.

Forms

Relateds

somemore

Synonyms

later