only

1 of 3

adjective

on·​ly ˈōn-lē How to pronounce only (audio)
Synonyms of onlynext
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

Adverb

Conjunction

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

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
Robinson, who hasn’t been the same since a back injury in March, missed his only shot in three scoreless minutes. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2024 And the only major U.S. airline to offer open seating is considering whether to end its longtime open seating policy in favor of seat assignments. —Michael Salerno, The Arizona Republic, 30 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for only 

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.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of only was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing only

Dictionary Entries Near only

onlooker

only

only child

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Only.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/only. Accessed 4 May. 2024.

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Kids Definition

only

1 of 3 adjective
on·​ly ˈōn-lē How to pronounce only (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on only

Nglish: Translation of only for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of only for Arabic Speakers

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