if only
idiom
—used to talk about something that one wants to happen or be true
If only she loved me in return!
If only it would stop raining.
Examples of if only in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
When William finally appears in person late in the game, the face-off between him and Eddie is worth the wait if only just to see these two exceptional actors go at it.
—
Pete Hammond, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2025
But there comes a point in every day when even Musk leaves Trump’s side, if only to go play video games for a while.
—Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2025
Now, if only Amazon’s other big live-action fantasy series would do the same . . . .
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Like things could change for the better if only a few teenagers with the right balance of spunk and smarts showed up.
—Lizz Schumer, People.com, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for if only
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Pete Hammond, Deadline, 20 Mar. 2025
But there comes a point in every day when even Musk leaves Trump’s side, if only to go play video games for a while.
—Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2025
Now, if only Amazon’s other big live-action fantasy series would do the same . . . .
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Like things could change for the better if only a few teenagers with the right balance of spunk and smarts showed up.
—Lizz Schumer, People.com, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for if only
Cite this Entry
“If only.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/if%20only. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.
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