only

[ohn-lee]

adverb

1. without others or anything further; alone; solely; exclusively.

   This information is for your eyes only.

2. no more than; merely; just: I cook only on weekends, never on weekdays.

   If it were only true!

   I cook only on weekends, never on weekdays.

3. as recently as.

   I read that article only yesterday.

4. in the final outcome or decision.

   You will only regret your harsh words to me.

adjective

1. being the single one or the relatively few of the kind.

   This is the only pencil I can find.

   Synonyms: lone, solitary
   Antonyms: common, plentiful

2. having no sibling or no sibling of the same gender: He was their only son, but they had three daughters

   Although I had lots of cousins, I was an only child.

   He was their only son, but they had three daughters

3. single in superiority or distinction; unique; the best.

   the one and only Muhammad Ali.

   Synonyms: exclusive, peerless

conjunction

1. but (introducing a single restriction, restraining circumstance, or the like).

   I would have gone, only you objected.

2. Older Use.,  except; but.

   Only for him you would not be here.

only

/ ˈəʊnlɪ /

adjective

1. being single or very few in number

   the only men left in town were too old to bear arms

2. (of a child) having no siblings

3. unique by virtue of being superior to anything else; peerless

4. 1. (adjective) incomparable; unique

   2. (as noun) the object of all one's love

      you are my one and only

adverb

1. without anyone or anything else being included; alone

   you have one choice only

   only a genius can do that

2. merely or just

   it's only Henry

3. no more or no greater than

   we met only an hour ago

4. (intensifier)

   she was only marvellous

   it was only dreadful

5. 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

6. not earlier than; not…until

   I only found out yesterday

7. an expression used to introduce a wish, esp one felt to be unrealizable

8. never…except when

9. 1. (intensifier)

      he was only too pleased to help

   2. most regrettably (esp in the phrase only too true )

1. 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)

The placement of only as a modifier is more a matter of style and clarity than of grammatical rule. In a sentence like The doctor examined the children, varying the placement of only results in quite different meanings: The doctor only examined the children means that the doctor did nothing else. And The doctor examined only the children means that no one else was examined. Especially in formal writing, the placement of only immediately before what it modifies is often observed: She sold the stock only because she needed the money. However, there has long been a tendency in all varieties of speech and writing to place only before the verb ( She only sold the stock because she needed the money ), and such placement is rarely confusing.

Word History and Origins

Origin of only¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English ānlich, ǣnlich; one, -ly

Word History and Origins

Origin of only¹

Old English ānlīc, from ān _one + -līc _-ly ²

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. only too,

   1. as a matter of fact; extremely.

      I am only too glad to go.

   2. unfortunately; very.

      It is only too likely to happen.

More idioms and phrases containing only

• beauty is only skin deep
• have an eye (eyes only) for
• if only
• in name only
• not the only fish in the sea
• one and only

Example Sentences

The line is supposed to be a little funny, a wink at the fashion industry’s love of effusive word salad descriptions that are only conveyed in the actual garments about half the time.

From Salon

Tector, who brought up his own half-century with a drive for six, almost lasted to the end of the innings, only to edge the penultimate delivery into the gloves of Jos Buttler.

From BBC

Given he only began playing the sport seven years ago, his journey to the elite level of US college sport is remarkable.

From BBC

He said responsibility fell not only on public bodies failing to protect public safety but also on the killer's family, who knew but ignored the risk he posed.

From BBC

The only measure that takes immediate effect is the suspension of bilateral support to the Israeli government.

From BBC

Related Words

• alone 
• entirely 
• hardly 
• merely 
• particularly 
• purely 
• simply 
• solely