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Adjective

the only way to really appreciate the beauty of the forest is to walk through it

that is the only possible right answer

Adverb

She had been there only twice in her life.

There are only two more weeks until summer vacation.

It’s only a matter of time before someone gets hurt.

Do you really have to leave? It’s only eight o’clock.

He was only a baby when his father died.

Leave her alone. She’s only a kid.

The building is only about 10 years old.

It was quiet in the room, but only for a moment.

She is only partly to blame.

The club is for women only.

Conjunction

I’d love to sing along, only I don’t know the words.

They did have a radio, only it was broken.

We wanted to buy that painting, only it was far too expensive.

Recent Examples on the Web

Former East Mississippi transfer Damon Stewart, who performed efficiently in last year’s spring game, announced his decision to enter the transfer portal only days following Thursday’s scrimmage.

—Evan Dudley, al, 12 Apr. 2023

Officer Wilt, on the job for only days, was hit in the head at the concrete stairs leading to the office.

—Madeline Mitchell, The Courier-Journal, 12 Apr. 2023

Lawrence, president of the Leon Levine Foundation, said Levine taught those who knew him that money isn’t the only way to help others.

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Since the lungs can’t be seen or felt, the only way to spot it early is with a CT scan.

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The only way to stop James is by wearing him down with multiple defenders, and the Timberwolves will be short-handed in that department.

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The only way to get through is to address it head-on.

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Indeed, the only way to access ERNIE currently is to apply to Baidu for a test account.

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Barrymore and King both agreed that the only way to change the narrative is to keep talking about it — with both women and men — and not be embarrassed by it.

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The standard version of the current M3 is a rear-drive 473-hp sedan available only with a six-speed manual transmission.

—Eric Stafford, Car and Driver, 31 Mar. 2023

Not only does the metal look sleek, but it’s meant to last outside among the elements.

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Pitcher Ross Stripling can sympathize with San Francisco Giants fans, who not only saw Aaron Judge and Carlos Correa sign elsewhere but watched Carlos Rodón exercise his opt-out clause and leave for greener pastures.

—John Shea, San Francisco Chronicle, 30 Mar. 2023

Their partnership culminated in the 2022 unveiling of a limited-edition S-Class, of which only 150 units were made—and one of which Keys just unveiled.

—Louisa Ballhaus, Robb Report, 30 Mar. 2023

Think of them as a hoop with a radius of 50,000 km and a rim that is only 10 km wide.

—Shannon Hall, Scientific American, 30 Mar. 2023

And yet, that only works in the movie’s favor.

—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 30 Mar. 2023

Keep in mind, this only works for non-retirement accounts.

—Orlando Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2023

Christiansen explained that Paltrow could only have ended up on top of Sanderson if she had been hit from behind.

—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 30 Mar. 2023

See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word ‘only.’ Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Источник

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British
Idioms And Phrases

This shows grade level based on the word’s complexity.

adverb

without others or anything further; alone; solely; exclusively: This information is for your eyes only.

no more than; merely; just: If it were only true! I cook only on weekends.

as recently as: I read that article only yesterday.

in the final outcome or decision: You will only regret your harsh words to me.

adjective

being the single one or the relatively few of the kind: This is the only pencil I can find.

having no sibling or no sibling of the same sex: an only child; an only son.

single in superiority or distinction; unique; the best: the one and only Muhammad Ali.

conjunction

but (introducing a single restriction, restraining circumstance, or the like): I would have gone, only you objected.

Older Use. except; but: Only for him you would not be here.

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Idioms about only

only too,

as a matter of fact; extremely: I am only too glad to go.
unfortunately; very: It is only too likely to happen.

Origin of only

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

usage note for only

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.

Words nearby only

onliner, online thesaurus, onload, onlooker, onlooking, only, only-begotten, only too, on-message, on-mike, onnagata

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to only

alone, entirely, hardly, merely, particularly, purely, simply, solely, but, just, apart, by oneself, exclusive, individual, isolated, lone, matchless, once in a lifetime, one, one and only

How to use only in a sentence

Her striking new, vinyl-only single once again confirms St. Vincent’s idiosyncratic talent.
One winter night, Posho Wembore sneaked into the exclusive whites-only club of the Hotel Pourquoi Pas?
The monogamous or safe-only gay man is a far safer bet than the unprotected hetero swinger.
It was just what Berners-Lee had envisioned, a Web that was read-write rather than read-only.

His supporters hosted a men-only fundraiser with this admonition on the invitation: “Tell the misses not to wait up.”
In Captain Joseph Pelham’s mind there was only-one answer to this question,—that the lad should come to him.
In the first place the boys all spoke to him in that specially offensive you’re-only-a-little-kid sort of way.
He called Murgatroyd, placed him before the communicator, and set it at voice-only transmission.
If I had only had a pistol I would have shot him, but boy scouts don’t carry pistols-only in crazy story books.
She’d be hopeless in a sick-room; and this is a real keep-your-distance, Sundays-only sick-room, ain’t it, Sarah Gamp?

British Dictionary definitions for only

adjective (prenominal)

the only being single or very few in numberthe only men left in town were too old to bear arms

(of a child) having no siblings

unique by virtue of being superior to anything else; peerless

one and only

(adjective) incomparable; unique
(as noun) the object of all one’s loveyou are my one and only

adverb

without anyone or anything else being included; aloneyou have one choice only; only a genius can do that

merely or justit’s only Henry

no more or no greater thanwe met only an hour ago

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 fulfilledif I had only known, this would never have happened

not earlier than; not…untilI only found out yesterday

if only an expression used to introduce a wish, esp one felt to be unrealizable

only if never…except when

only too

(intensifier)he was only too pleased to help
most regrettably (esp in the phrase only too true)

sentence connector

but; however: used to introduce an exception or conditionplay outside: only don’t go into the street

Word Origin for only

Old English ānlīc, from ān one + -līc -ly ²

usage for only

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)

Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with only

In addition to the idioms beginning with only

only game in town, the
only too

also see:

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

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

Источник

on·ly

(ōn′lē)

adj.

a. Alone in kind or class; sole: That’s the only pen I have.

b. Having no siblings: an only child.

2. Most suitable of all; superior or excellent: This is the only way to cook a good steak.

adv.

1. Without anyone or anything else; alone: We have only two sandwiches left.

a. At the very least: If you would only come home. The story was only too true.

b. And nothing else or more; merely; just: I was only following orders.

3. Exclusively; solely: facts known only to us.

a. In the last analysis or final outcome; inevitably: actions that will only make things worse.

b. With the negative or unfortunate result: received a raise only to be laid off.

a. As recently as: called me only last month.

b. In the immediate past: only just saw them.

conj.

1. Were it not that; except that: We would have reached the summit, only the weather got bad.

a. With the restriction that; but: You may go, only be careful.

b. However; and yet: The merchandise is well made, only we can’t use it.

[Middle English, from Old English ānlīc : ān, one; see one + -līc, having the form of; see -ly¹.]

Usage Note: The adverb only is notorious for its ability to change the meaning of a sentence depending on its placement. Consider the difference in meaning in the following examples: Dictators respect only force; they are not moved by words. Dictators only respect force; they do not worship it. She picked up the phone only when he entered, not before. She only picked up the phone when he entered; she didn’t dial the number. The surest way to prevent readers from misinterpreting only is to place it next to the word or words it modifies. Many usage sticklers view this policy as a rule that should always be followed, but in many cases it sounds more natural for only to come earlier in the sentence, and if the preceding context is sufficiently clear, there is scant likelihood of being misunderstood. Thus, the rule requires We can come to an agreement only if everyone is willing to compromise. But it may sound more natural, with slightly different emphasis and with no risk of misunderstanding, to say We can only come to an agreement if everyone is willing to compromise. · The expression one of the only is sometimes called out for being illogical, as only implies singularity but the noun following it is plural in this construction. The Usage Panel is mixed on the subject. In our 2008 survey, 48 percent accepted the sentence He is one of the only hard-working people left around here. Many panelists may object to the use of the word as an adjective to mean «few» instead of «one» (as in That’s the only pen I have left). The expression the only two found more favor, despite its apparent illogic, with 62 percent accepting She is one of the only two writers I can relate to. This is probably because of similarity to the adverbial use of only with two, which is well established and familiar (There are only two seats left). See Usage Note at not.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

only

(ˈəʊnlɪ)

adj (prenominal)

1. the only 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. one and only

a. (adjective) incomparable; unique

b. (as noun) the object of all one’s love: you are my one and only.

adv

5. without anyone or anything else being included; alone: you have one choice only; only a genius can do that.

6. merely or just: it’s only Henry.

7. no more or no greater than: we met only an hour ago.

8. Irish (intensifier): she was only marvellous; it was only dreadful.

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

12. only if never…except when

13. only too

a. (intensifier): he was only too pleased to help.

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

sentence connector

but; however: used to introduce an exception or condition: play outside: only don’t go into the street.

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

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)

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

on•ly

(ˈoʊn li)

adv.

1. without others or anything further; alone; solely; exclusively: This information is for your eyes only.

2. no more than; merely; just: only on weekends; If it were only true!

3. as recently as: I read that article only yesterday.

4. in the final outcome or decision: That will only make matters worse.

adj.

5. being the single one or the relatively few of the kind; lone; sole: the only seat left.

6. having no sibling or no sibling of the same sex: an only child.

conj.

7. but (introducing a single restriction, restraining circumstance, or the like): I would have gone, only you objected.

8. Older Use. except; but: Only for him you would not be here.

Idioms:

only too, very; extremely.

[before 900; Middle English; Old English ānlich, ǣnlich. See one, -ly]

usage: Some usage guides maintain that misunderstanding will arise if the modifier only is not placed immediately before what it modifies. Inserting only in the sentence The doctor examined the children might produce ambiguity in written English. The doctor examined only the children would signify that no one else was examined, whereas The doctor only examined the children could indicate either that the doctor did nothing else or that no one else was examined. In all varieties of speech and writing there has long been a tendency to place only before the verb in a sentence regardless of what it modifies. In spoken English the intended meaning may be conveyed by stressing the construction to which only applies.

only

Only can be an adjective or an adverb.

1. used as an adjective

You use only in front of a noun or one to say that something is true about one person, thing, or group and not true about anyone or anything else. In front of only you put the or a possessive.

Grace was the only survivor.

I was the only one listening.

‘Have you a spare one?’ – ‘No, it’s my only copy unfortunately.’

When only has this meaning, you must use a noun or one after it. You cannot say, for example, ‘He was the only to escape‘. If you don’t want to use a more specific noun, you can use person or thing. You can say, for example, ‘He was the only person to escape’.

He was the only person allowed to issue documents of that sort.

It was the only thing they could do.

If you use another adjective or a number, you put only in front of it.

The only English city he enjoyed working in was Manchester.

So I probably have the only three copies of the album in existence.

‘Only’ is not normally used after an. There is one common exception: if you say that someone is an only child, you mean that they have no brothers or sisters.

As an only child she is accustomed to adult company.

2. used as an adverb

Only is used as an adverb to say that something is the one thing that is done, that happens, or that is relevant in a particular situation, in contrast to all the other things that are not done, do not happen, or are not relevant.

If only applies to the subject of a clause, you put it in front of the subject.

Only his close friends knew how much he worried about his daughters.

We believe that only a completely different approach will be effective.

If the verb is be, you put only after it.

There is only one train that goes from Denmark to Sweden by night.

If the verb is not ‘be’ and only does not apply to the subject, you usually put it in front of the verb or after the first auxiliary verb, regardless of what it applies to. For example, instead of saying ‘I see my brother only at weekends’, you usually say ‘I only see my brother at weekends’.

Drivers only find serious traffic jams in the city centre.

We could only choose two of them.

New technology will only be introduced by agreement with the unions.

3. used for emphasis

However, if you want to be quite clear or emphatic, you put only immediately in front of the word, word phrase, or clause it applies to.

He played only classical music.

You may borrow only one item at a time.

We film only when something interesting is found.

For extra emphasis, you can put only after the word or word phrase that it applies to.

We insisted on being interviewed by women journalists only.

This strategy was used once only.

In writing and formal speech, you can put only at the beginning of a sentence, followed by the word, phrase, or clause it applies to. After this word, phrase, or clause, you put an auxiliary verb or be followed by the subject of the main clause.

Only here was it safe to prepare and handle hot drinks.

Only then did Ginny realize that she still hadn’t phoned her mother.

Another way of emphasizing is to start with ‘It is only…‘ or ‘It was only…‘ and the word or words that you want to emphasize. You put the rest of the sentence in a that-clause.

It was only much later that I realized what had happened.

It was only when he started to take photographs that he was stopped.

4. ‘not only’

You use not only with but or but also as a way of linking words or word groups.

Collins COBUILD English Usage © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 2004, 2011, 2012

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Adj.	1.	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» lonesome, sole, lone, solitary single — existing alone or consisting of one entity or part or aspect or individual; «upon the hill stood a single tower»; «had but a single thought which was to escape»; «a single survivor»; «a single serving»; «a single lens»; «a single thickness»
	2.	only — exclusive of anyone or anything else; «she alone believed him»; «cannot live by bread alone»; «I’ll have this car and this car only» alone exclusive — excluding much or all; especially all but a particular group or minority; «exclusive clubs»; «an exclusive restaurants and shops»
Adv.	1.	only — 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» but, just, merely, simply
	2.	only — 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» alone, exclusively, solely, entirely
	3.	only — with nevertheless the final result; «He arrived only to find his wife dead»; «We won only to lose again in the next round»
	4.	only — in the final outcome; «These news will only make you more upset»
	5.	only — except that; «It was the same story; only this time she came out better»
	6.	only — never except when; «call me only if your cold gets worse» only if, only when
	7.	only — as recently as; «I spoke to him only an hour ago»

only

Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

only

adjective

1. Alone in a given category:

2. Without equal or rival:

alone, incomparable, matchless, nonpareil, peerless, singular, unequaled, unexampled, unique, unmatched, unparalleled, unrivaled.

adverb

1. To the exclusion of anyone or anything else:

Translations

فَقَطفَقَطٌفَقَط: تُظْهِر النَّتيجَهلكنليس أبعد من، فَقَط

единственсамо

jedinýjenjenompouze

kunbareene-enestemen

nursola

ainultainus

تنها

ainoavainainoastaanainut

jedinisamo

csak

aîeinsaîeins òú einnbarabara, aîeinseinka-; eini, hinn eini

ただ一人の単に唯一の

다만 …뿐유일한

solumunicus

tikvienintelis

bet, tikaitikaivēlvienīgaisvienīgi

numaisingurunic

iba

samoedini

baraendaendast

เท่านั้นเพียงเท่านั้นเพียงคนเดียว

єдиний

chỉchỉ thôiduy nhất

only

[ˈəʊnlɪ]

A. ADJ → único
your only hope is to hide → la única posibilidad que te queda es esconderte
it’s the only one left → es el único que queda
«I’m tired» — «you’re not the only one!» → -estoy cansado -¡no eres el único!
the only thing I don’t like about it is → lo único que no me gusta de esto es …
see also pebble

D. CPD only child N → hijo/a m/f único/a
see also one A3

Collins Spanish Dictionary — Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

only

adj attr → einzige(r, s); he’s an/my only child → er ist ein Einzelkind nt → /mein einziges Kind; the only one or person → der/die Einzige; the only ones or people → die Einzigen; he was the only one to leave or who left → er ist als Einziger gegangen; the only thing → das Einzige; the only thing I could suggest would be to invite him too → ich könnte höchstens vorschlagen, dass wir etc ihn auch einladen; that’s the only thing for it/the only thing to do → das ist die einzige Möglichkeit; the only thing I have against it is that … → ich habe nur eins dagegen einzuwenden, nämlich, dass …; the only thing or problem is … → nur …; the only thing is (that) it’s too late → es ist bloß or nur schon zu spät; my only wish/regret → das einzige, was ich mir wünsche/was ich bedaure; the only real problem → das einzig wirkliche Problem; her only answer was a grin or to grin → ihre Antwort bestand nur aus einem Grinsen ? one ADJ d

conj → bloß, nur; I would do it myself, only I haven’t time → ich würde es selbst machen, ich habe bloß or nur keine Zeit; she looks like me, only taller → sie sieht aus wie ich, nur dass sie etwas größer ist

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

only

[ˈəʊnlɪ]

1. adj → solo/a, unico/a
it’s the only one left → è l’unico rimasto
your only hope is to hide → la tua unica speranza sta nel nasconderti
you are the only one who can help us → sei l’unico che possa or che può aiutarci
you are not the only one → non sei l’unico
an only child → un(a) figlio/a unico/a
the only thing I don’t like about it is … → l’unica cosa che non mi va è…

2. adv → solo, soltanto, solamente
we have only five → ne abbiamo solo cinque
only one choice → una sola possibilità, un’unica scelta
only time will tell → chi vivrà vedrà
I’m only the porter → io sono solo il portinaio
I only touched it → l’ho soltanto toccato
I only took one → ne ho preso soltanto uno
only when I … → solo quando io…
not only A but also B → non solo A ma anche B
I saw her only yesterday → l’ho vista appena ieri
we can only hope → non possiamo far altro che sperare
I’d be only too pleased to help → sarei proprio felice di essere d’aiuto
it’s only too true → è proprio vero

only

(ˈəunli) adjective

without any others of the same type. He has no brothers or sisters – he’s an only child; the only book of its kind.

adverb

1. not more than. We have only two cups left; He lives only a mile away.

2. alone. Only you can do it.

3. showing the one action done, in contrast to other possibilities. I only scolded the child – I did not smack him.

4. not longer ago than. I saw him only yesterday.

5. showing the one possible result of an action. If you do that, you’ll only make him angry.

conjunction

except that, but. I’d like to go, only I have to work.

only too

very. I’ll be only too pleased to come.

only

→ فَقَطٌ, وَحِيد, وَحِيدٌ jediný, jen ene-, eneste, kun einzig, einziger, nur μοναδικός, μόνο, μόνος solo, sólo, único ainoa, vain seul, seulement, unique jedini, samo solamente, solo, unico ただ一人の, 単に, 唯一の 다만 …뿐, 유일한 enig, slechts bare, ene jedynak, jedyny, tylko somente, único единственный, только bara, enda เท่านั้น, เพียงเท่านั้น, เพียงคนเดียว tek, yalnızca chỉ, duy nhất 仅仅, 唯一的

only

a. único-a, solo-a;

adv. sólo, solamente.

only

adj solo, único; progestin-only de progestina sola; adv sólo, solamente; Take this only for severe pain..Tome esto sólo (solamente) para dolor severo

Источник

Definitions of only

adverb

without any others being included or involved

“a privilege granted
only to him”

synonyms:

alone, entirely, exclusively, solely
adjective

being the only one; single and isolated from others

“an
only child”

synonyms:

lone, lonesome, sole, solitary

single

existing alone or consisting of one entity or part or aspect or individual
adjective

exclusive of anyone or anything else

“I’ll have this car and this car
only”

synonyms:

alone

exclusive

excluding much or all; especially all but a particular group or minority
“he was
only a child”

synonyms:

but, just, merely, simply
adverb

in the final outcome

“This news will
only make you more upset”
adverb

with nevertheless the final result

“We won
only to lose again in the next round”
“I spoke to him
only an hour ago”
“only this time she came out better”
“call me
only if your cold gets worse”

synonyms:

only if, only when

DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘only’.
Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors.
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Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

adjective Alone in kind or class; sole.
adjective Having no siblings.
adjective Most suitable of all; superior or excellent.
adverb Without anyone or anything else; alone.
adverb At the very least.
adverb And nothing else or more; merely; just.
adverb Exclusively; solely.
adverb In the last analysis or final outcome; inevitably.
adverb With the negative or unfortunate result.
adverb As recently as.
adverb In the immediate past.
conjunction Were it not that; except that.
conjunction With the restriction that; but.
conjunction However; and yet.

from The Century Dictionary.

Single as regards number, or as regards class or kind; one and no more or other; single; sole: as, he was the only person present; the only answer possible; an only son; my only friend; the only assignable reason.
Alone; nothing or nobody but.
Mere; simple.
Single in degree or excellence; hence, distinguished above or beyond all others; special.
Alone; no other or others than; nothing or nobody else than; nothing or nobody but; merely: as, only one remained; man cannot live on bread only.
No more than; merely; simply; just: as, he had sold only two.
In but one manner, for but one purpose, by but one means, with but one result, etc.; in no other manner, respect, place, direction, circumstances, or condition than; at no other time, or in no other way, etc., than; for no other purpose or with no other result than; solely; exclusively; entirely; altogether: as, he ventured forth only at night; he was saved only by the skin of his teeth; he escaped the gallows only to be drowned; articles sold only in packages.
Above all others; preëminently; especially.
Singly; with no other in the same relation: as, the only begotten Son of the Father.
Synonyms 1-3. Alone, Only. See alone.
But; except; excepting that.
Except; with the exception of.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

conjunction Save or except (that); — an adversative used elliptically with or without that, and properly introducing a single fact or consideration.
adjective One alone; single
adjective Alone in its class; by itself; not associated with others of the same class or kind.
adjective Alone, by reason of superiority; preëminent; chief.
adverb In one manner or degree; for one purpose alone; simply; merely; barely.
adverb So and no otherwise; no other than; exclusively; solely; wholly.
adverb Singly; without more.
adverb obsolete Above all others; particularly.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

adjective Alone in a category.
adjective Singularly superior; the best.
adjective Without sibling; without a sibling of the same gender.
adjective obsolete Mere.
adverb without others or anything further; exclusively
adverb no more than; just
adverb as recently as
conjunction Under the condition that; but.
conjunction However.
conjunction But for the fact that; except.

adverb in the final outcome

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Middle English, from Old English ānlīc : ān, one; see one + -līc, having the form of; see –ly.]

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

Old English ǣnlīċ, from Germanic; corresponding to one + -ly/-like. Cognate with Swedish enlig («unified»), and obsolete Dutch eenlijk.

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Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word only.

Examples

Martha only barely concealed her disgust when she said “this is the _only_ cookbook of mine that you have?”

Regretsy – April Fool
And the proposition that not only every planet is bright apparently extends a categorical proposition, via the elements indicated with ˜not™ and ˜only™.

Logical Form
An e-mail sent to Hilderbran from DPS states that only computer forensics officials must be licensed under the Private Security Act and that those who only retrieve information from computer databases and pass it on to another person are not subject to the new law.

Texas Law Probably Does Not Require PI License To Fix Spyware-Infested Computers — The Consumerist
The error you made is that only five percent of those have race as the *only* requirement.

Althouse coffeehouse.
The only problem I have now is that I have a bit, and *only* a bit and not a useful enough amount, of an auditory chameleonic trait, and so listening to ten hours of Lenny Henry now means I catch myself today occasionally slipping into a faux-Caribbean accent.

mammothbooks, acoustic Aphex Twin, vampire v. werewolf, Anansiaudio
The DOE would provide funds, starting at $10M only for companies affiliated to large automakers and * only* for hybrid vehicles.

Tesla Wants A Piece Of The Hypothetical Auto Bailout Fund
The DOE would provide funds, starting at $10M only for companies affiliated to large automakers and * only* for hybrid vehicles.

Tesla Wants A Piece Of The Hypothetical Auto Bailout Fund
There is occasional motion picture footage (a couple uninteresting complete shots of some airport arrival or departure which would be shown for only two seconds in a judiciously edited documentary.), and the * only* music one hears is about 30 seconds of «Around and Around» in front of that froofy curtain (is this PD stuff YET?).

FAQ: Welcome to the Rolling Stones’ Mailing list FAQ list Version 1.08
But only now was he able to generate enough pressure to get his order implemented but only~ up to a point.

WILD SWANS THREE DAUGHTERS OF CHINA
Not only are the priests of Rome deprived by the devil of the _only_ remedy which God has given to help them to stand up, but they have, in the confessional, the greatest facility which can possibly be imagined for satisfying all the bad propensities of fallen human nature.

The Priest, The Woman And The Confessional

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only

on•ly

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Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

from The Century Dictionary.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

Support

Examples