Meaning of only in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Classifying Adjective
    1. Definitions
  3. Adverb
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /ˈoʊnli/

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    UK accent Play button

  1. Classifying Adjective

    only

    Definitions

    1. exclusive of anyone or anything else

    Examples

    • « she alone believed him »
    • « cannot live by bread alone »
    • « I'll have this car and this car only »

    Synonyms

  2. Adverb

    only

    Etymology

    Old English ānlic (adjective) (see one, -ly)

    Definitions

    1. and nothing more

    Examples

    • « 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 »
  3. 2. without any others being included or involved

    Examples

    • « 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 »
  4. 3. with nevertheless the final result

    Examples

    • « He arrived only to find his wife dead »
    • « We won only to lose again in the next round »
  5. 4. in the final outcome

    Examples

    • « These news will only make you more upset »
  6. 5. except that

    Examples

    • « It was the same story »
    • « only this time she came out better »
  7. 6. never except when

    Examples

    • « call me only if your cold gets worse »
  8. 7. as recently as

    Examples

    • « I spoke to him only an hour ago »

Famous quotes

  • « As the poet said, 'Only God can make a tree,' probably because it's so hard to figure out how to get the bark on. »
    Woody Allen
  • « I get very nervous whenever I think about it. I've never done a serious play, and I have such awe of the woman - she's really my only idol. It's going to be a big stretch - certain people come out on stage and your face muscles automatically tense and you get ready to smile. »
    Judy Holliday
  • « Start with God - the first step in learning is bowing down to God only fools thumb their noses at such wisdom and learning. »
    King Solomon
  • « And suddenly I realised that I was no longer driving the car consciously. I was driving it by a kind of instinct, only I was in a different dimension. »
    Ayrton Senna
  • « Man becomes man only by his intelligence, but he is man only by his heart. »
    Henri Frederic Amiel

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