Definition of 'only'

Word Frequency

only

(oʊnli )

language note: In written English, only is usually placed immediately before the word it qualifies. In spoken English, however, you can use stress to indicate what only qualifies, so its position is not so important.

1. adverb [ADVERB before verb]

You use only to indicate the one thing that is true, appropriate, or necessary in a particular situation, in contrast to all the other things that are not true, appropriate, or necessary.

Only the President could authorize the use of the atomic bomb.

Only here were the police visible in any strength at all.

44-year-old woman seeks caring, honest male for friendship and fun. Genuine replies only.

A business can only be built and expanded on a sound financial base.

It's true that I seem to have forgotten you, but it only seems that way.

2. adverb

You use only to introduce the thing which must happen before the thing mentioned in the main part of the sentence can happen.

The lawyer is paid only if he wins.

The Bank of England insists that it will cut interest rates only when it is ready.

We surely tolerate this system only because it is familiar to us.

3. adjective

If you talk about the only person or thing involved in a particular situation, you mean there are no others involved in it.

She was the only woman in the company's legal department.

My cat Gustaf was the only thing I had - the only company.

That left Mr Dertliev as the only candidate.

4. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]

An only child is a child who has no brothers or sisters.

5. adverb [ADVERB before verb]

You use only to indicate that something is no more important, interesting, or difficult, for example, than you say it is, especially when you want to correct a wrong idea that someone may get or has already got.

At the moment it is only a theory.

'I'm only a sergeant,' said Clements.

Don't get defensive, Charlie. I was only joking.

Synonyms: just, simply, purely, merely More Synonyms of only

6. adverb

You use only to emphasize how small an amount is or how short a length of time is.

[emphasis]

Child car seats only cost about £10 a week to hire.

...spacecraft guidance systems weighing only a few grams.

Decaffeinated coffee is only a bit better for you.

I've only recently met him.

7. adverb [ADVERB noun]

You use only to emphasize that you are talking about a small part of an amount or group, not the whole of it.

[emphasis]

These are only a few of the possibilities.

Only a minority of the people supported the Revolution.

8. adverb

Only is used after 'can' or 'could' to emphasize that it is impossible to do anything except the rather inadequate or limited action that is mentioned.

[emphasis]

For a moment I could say nothing. I could only stand and look.

The police can only guess at the scale of the problem.

9. adverb [ADVERB before verb]

You can use only in the expressions I only wish or I only hope in order to emphasize what you are hoping or wishing.

[emphasis]

I only wish he were here now that things are getting better for me.

We can only hope that the elephants can recover.

10. conjunction

Only can be used to add a comment which slightly changes or limits what you have just said.

[informal]

It's just as dramatic as a film, only it's real.

It's a bit like my house, only nicer.

Drop in and see me when you're ready. Only don't take too long about it.

11. conjunction

Only can be used after a clause with 'would' to indicate why something is not done.

[spoken]

I'd invite you to come with me, only it's such a long way.

I'd be quite happy to go. Only I don't know what my kids would say about living there.

12. adverb [ADV to-inf]

You can use only before an infinitive to introduce an event which happens immediately after one you have just mentioned, and which is rather surprising or unfortunate.

Ryle tried the Embassy, only to be told that Hugh was in a meeting.

He raced through the living room, only to find the front door closed.

13. adverb [usually ADVERB adjective]

You can use only to emphasize how appropriate a certain course of action or type of behaviour is.

[emphasis]

It's only fair to let her know that you intend to apply.

She appeared to have changed considerably, which was only to be expected.

14. adverb [ADVERB before verb]

You can use only in front of a verb to indicate that the result of something is unfortunate or undesirable and is likely to make the situation worse rather than better.

The embargo would only hurt innocent civilians.

She says that legalising prostitution will only cause problems.

15.

have only to/only have to

16.

17.

18.

19.

20. if only

21. not only

22. the one and only

More Synonyms of only

Video: pronunciation of 'only'

Word Frequency

only in British

(ˈəʊnlɪ )

adjective (prenominal)

1. the only

(of a child) having no siblings

unique by virtue of being superior to anything else; peerless

4. one and only

adverb

without anyone or anything else being included; alone

you have one choice only

only a genius can do that

merely or just

it's only Henry

no more or no greater than

we met only an hour ago

8. Irish

(intensifier)

she was only marvellous

it was only dreadful

used in conditional clauses introduced by if to emphasize the impossibility of the condition ever being fulfilled

if I had only known, this would never have happened

10.

not earlier than; not…until

I only found out yesterday

11. if only

12. only if

13. only too

sentence connector

14.

but; however: used to introduce an exception or condition

play outside: only don't go into the street

▶ USAGE In informal English, only is often used as a sentence connector: I would have phoned you, only I didn't know your number. This use should be avoided in formal writing: I would have phoned you if I'd known your number. In formal speech and writing, only is placed directly before the word or words that it modifies: she could interview only three applicants in the morning. In all but the most formal contexts, however, it is generally regarded as acceptable to put only before the verb: she could only interview three applicants in the morning. Care must be taken not to create ambiguity, esp in written English, in which intonation will not, as it does in speech, help to show to which item in the sentence only applies. A sentence such as she only drinks tea in the afternoon is capable of two interpretations and is therefore better rephrased either as she drinks only tea in the afternoon (i.e. no other drink) or she drinks tea only in the afternoon (i.e. at no other time)

Word origin of 'only'

Old English ānlīc, from ān one + -līc -ly2

Word Frequency

only in American

(ˈoʊnli ; ōnˈlē)

adjective

alone of its or their kind; by itself or by themselves; sole

having no siblings

an only child

alone in its or their superiority; best; finest

adverb

and no other; and no (or nothing) more; solely; exclusively

drink water only

merely; simply

(but) in what follows or in the end

to meet one crisis, only to face another

as recently as

elected only last fall

conjunction

7. Informal

were it not that; except that; but

I'd have gone, only it rained

Idioms:

if only

only too

Word origin of 'only'

ME < OE anlic < an, one + -lic, -ly1

Example sentences containing 'only'

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

Your information will only be used for the purposes of this competition. Times, Sunday Times (2016)Yet the problems had only just begun. Times, Sunday Times (2016)The only way they get help is if there are pacey guys covering for them. The Sun (2016)Why has this only come out now? Times, Sunday Times (2017)Yet it was only after his business failed that the real problems began. Times, Sunday Times (2017)This guy is the only person who has come out and said anything. The Sun (2016)And he technically is the only one of the three of us not to be fired by anyone. The Sun (2016)The return to three miles will help but he's surely only playing for place money. The Sun (2016)But only on the outside. The Sun (2016)She was only saved after emergency surgery. The Sun (2008)The second phase of the rebuilding has only just begun. Times, Sunday Times (2009)It will only get worse once you marry. The Sun (2010)Only true champions know the value of humility. The Sun (2015)Your information will only be used for the purposes of this competition. The Sun (2016)In many ways playing only one format puts pressure on you. Times, Sunday Times (2012) One can only imagine what the neighbours thought. Times, Sunday Times (2006)You fear that addressing these will only make things worse. Times, Sunday Times (2006)It is only influences from outside that will interfere with the forecasts. Michael Boulter EXTINCTION: Evolution and the End of Man (2002)The ref was the only person who thought it was a red card. The Sun (2010)You may feel favours go only one way at home but you are storing up useful goodwill. The Sun (2009)Will that only add to the pressure? Times, Sunday Times (2013)Yet awareness alone goes only so far. Times, Sunday Times (2015)The fund has been the only means the family have had to maintain the hunt. The Sun (2011)This letter has only just come to light. Times, Sunday Times (2013)Yet only a third say they expect to scale back their lifestyle. Times, Sunday Times (2006)