only

/'ounli/

Definition

Adjective:
- Being one and no other; single; sole: Used to indicate that there is just one of something, with no others existing or being included.
- Alone in its class or kind; unique: Used to describe something that is singularly distinct or superior.
Adverb:
- And no one or nothing more besides; solely; exclusively: Used to indicate that something is limited to the specified person, thing, or action.
- As recently as; not longer ago than: Used to emphasize how recent an event was.
- With the negative or unfortunate result that: Used to introduce a clause expressing an undesirable or ironic outcome.
- And nothing else; merely; just: Used to indicate that something is no more or no better than what is stated, often minimizing its importance.
Conjunction:
- Except that; but: Used to introduce a contrasting fact or limitation.
- Were it not that; except: Used to introduce a hypothetical condition that prevents something.

Usage Examples

Adjective:
- She is the only person I trust.
- This is the only copy of the document.
Adverb:
- I only wanted to help. (I wanted nothing else but to help.)
- He called only an hour ago.
- She arrived at the station only to find the train had left.
- It was only a joke. (It was merely a joke; it wasn't serious.)
Conjunction:
- I would go, only I feel too tired.
- The hike was perfect, only it started to rain at the end.

Advanced Usage

"If only...": Used to express a strong wish or regret about a situation that is different from reality.
- If only I had studied harder.
"Not only... but also...": A correlative conjunction used to add and emphasize another point.
- She is not only intelligent but also very kind.
"Only too": Used to mean "very" or "extremely," often before an adjective.
- I am only too aware of the problem.
"Only just": Used to mean "very recently" or "by a very small margin."
- I have only just finished my work.
- He only just passed the exam.

Variants and Related Words

Synonyms

Related Phrases and Idioms

Only child: A child who has no brothers or sisters.
- As an only child, she was very close to her parents.
One and only: Used to emphasize that someone or something is unique, often in a romantic context.
- My one and only love.
Only time will tell: Used to say that the truth or result of something will only be known in the future.
- Will the plan work? Only time will tell.

Adjective

exclusive of anyone or anything else
- she alone believed him
- cannot live by bread alone
- I'll have this car and this car only
being the only one; single and isolated from others
- the lone doctor in the entire county
- a lonesome pine
- an only child
- the sole heir
- the sole example
- a solitary instance of cowardice
- a solitary speck in the sky

Adverb

as recently as
- I spoke to him only an hour ago
never except when
- call me only if your cold gets worse
except that; only this time she came out better"
- It was the same story
in the final outcome
- These news will only make you more upset
with nevertheless the final result
- He arrived only to find his wife dead
- We won only to lose again in the next round
without any others being included or involved
- was entirely to blame
- a school devoted entirely to the needs of problem children
- he works for Mr. Smith exclusively
- did it solely for money
- the burden of proof rests on the prosecution alone
- a privilege granted only to him
and nothing more
- I was merely asking
- it is simply a matter of time
- just a scratch
- he was only a child
- hopes that last but a moment

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