only

1 of 3

adjective

on·​ly ˈōn-lē 

1

: unquestionably the best : peerless

is convinced that his team is the only one

2

a

: alone in a class or category : sole

the only one left

the only known species

She's the only person you can really trust.

b

: having no brother or sister

an only child

3

: few

one of the only areas not yet explored

That was one of the only times I saw him cry.

only

2 of 3

adverb

1

a

: as a single fact or instance and nothing more or different : merely

has only lost one election

—George Orwell

b

: solely, exclusively

known only to him

2

: at the very least

it was only too true

3

a

: in the final outcome

will only make you sick

b

: with nevertheless the final result

won the battles, only to lose the war

4

a

: as recently as : not before

only last week

only in the last year did she get recognition

b

: in the immediate past

only just talked to her

Placement of Only in a Sentence: Usage Guide

The placement of only in a sentence has been a source of studious commentary since the 18th century, most of it intended to prove by force of argument that prevailing standard usage is wrong. After 200 years of preachment the following observations may be made: the position of only in standard spoken English is not fixed, since ambiguity is avoided through sentence stress; in casual prose that keeps close to the rhythms of speech only is often placed where it would be in speech; and in edited and more formal prose only tends to be placed immediately before the word or words it modifies.

only

3 of 3

conjunction

1

a

: with the restriction that : but

you may go, only come back early

b

: and yet : however

they look very nice, only we can't use them

2

: were it not that : except

I'd introduce you to her, only you'd win her

—Jack London

Synonyms

Adjective

• incomparable
• inimitable
• matchless
• nonpareil
• peerless
• unequaled
• unequalled
• unexampled
• unmatched
• unparalleled
• unrivaled
• unrivalled
• unsurpassable
• unsurpassed

Adverb

• alone
• exclusively
• just
• purely
• simply
• solely

Conjunction

• but
• except
• excepting
• saving
• yet

Examples of only in a Sentence

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

Adjective

Monday's videos appeared to be the only content that was uploaded by the account in its roughy 11-month existence. —Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024

The only other running backs to win it this century were USC’s Reggie Bush in 2005 and Alabama’s Mark Ingram in 2009. —Ralph D. Russo, The Athletic, 10 Dec. 2024

Adverb

Controlling Morocco will complete the audacious Chinese plan: The Strait, with Morocco at its southern end, is only eight miles wide. —Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024

There is no way to buy it, and mothers can only get it for free by participating in events. —Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Adverb

Middle English, from Old English ānlīc, from ān one — more at one

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Conjunction

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing only

• by invitation only
• eyes only
• for someone's eyes only
• have (only) oneself to blame
• if only
• in name only
• it seems like only yesterday
• just/only doing one's job
• listen with only half an ear
• mention only in passing
• not just/only/merely
• not the only fish in the sea
• one of the only
• only child
• only fair
• only have eyes for
• only natural
• only right
• only succeed in
• (only) time will tell
• only too
• only wish/want/hope
• read-only
• read-only memory
• second only to
• the one and only
• the only game in town
• the only (person or thing) for
• the only thing
• you're only young once

Kids Definition

only

1 of 3 adjective

on·​ly ˈōn-lē 

1

: the best without doubt

it's the only thing for me

2

a

: alone in or of a class or kind : sole

the only survivor of the crash

b

: having no brother or sister

an only child

3

: few entry 2 sense 1

one of the only areas not yet explored

only

2 of 3 adverb

1

a

: as a single fact or instance and nothing more or different

worked only in the mornings

b

: no one or nothing other than

only you know

2

: at the very least

it was only too true

3

a

: in the end

it will only make you sick

b

: with the result

found my pen, only to lose it again

4

a

: as recently as

only last week

b

: in the immediate past

only just saw her

only

3 of 3 conjunction

: except that

I'd play, only I'm too tired