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
Shake off all the ails you, if only for three minutes and 16 seconds, with this absolute party of a disco track by Parisian producer Dan Ghenacia.
—
Billboard Staff, Billboard, 13 Sep. 2024
While 2024 has not shaped up to be a stellar time for the pop superstar, things may turn around—if only slightly—in a few months.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 11 Sep. 2024
Font has also been working on possible baby names, if only to extend her track record.
—Nancy Kruh, Peoplemag, 14 Sep. 2024
The star of Sliders just did the ultimate slide — sliding into the Big Brother hosting chair, if only for an evening.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 13 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for if only 
Billboard Staff, Billboard, 13 Sep. 2024
While 2024 has not shaped up to be a stellar time for the pop superstar, things may turn around—if only slightly—in a few months.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 11 Sep. 2024
Font has also been working on possible baby names, if only to extend her track record.
—Nancy Kruh, Peoplemag, 14 Sep. 2024
The star of Sliders just did the ultimate slide — sliding into the Big Brother hosting chair, if only for an evening.
—Dalton Ross, EW.com, 13 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for if only
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'if only.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near if only
Cite this Entry
“If only.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/if%20only. Accessed 23 Sep. 2024.
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