only

adjective

always used before a noun

alone in a class or category :existing with no other or others of the same kind - usually used with the or a possessive (such as my, her, its, their, John's, etc.)

He's the only [=one] man I've ever loved.

They were the only people to survive the crash.

You're not the only one who's worried about the future. [=other people are also worried about the future]

You're the only person I trust.

my only true friend

He was her only brother.

What a shame, your party is on the only day I can't come!

Mondays are Kim's only days off from work.

This is the only cleaning product you'll ever need!

Keeping you safe is our only [=sole] concern.

That was the only reason I didn't take the job.

The only way out is through that window.

It's the only possible answer. = It's the only answer possible.

The only thing left for us to do is wait. [=there is nothing else we can do but wait]

(informally) I can probably come Friday. The only thing [=the one problem] is that my car is in the shop.

It's the first and only drug of its kind. - see also only child the one and only at 3one

one of the only

one of very few :one in a small class or category

That was one of the only times I ever saw my father cry.

This is one of the only places in the world where the plant is found.

the only

used to emphasize that a particular person or thing should be the one chosen; usually + for

This is the only book for serious collectors.

She's the only person for the job.

adverb

no more than

They lost only [=just, merely] one game this season.

I've met him only once. = I've only met him once.

She had been there only twice in her life.

We have only five minutes to get there. = We only have five minutes to get there.

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.

She plays several instruments including the guitar, violin, and piano, to name only [=but] a few.

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

She is only partly/partially to blame.

nothing other than - used to indicate that a single thing was done, is needed, is possible, etc.

I asked him a question, but he only smiled in response.

I'm happy to help. You only have/need to ask. = (more formally) You have only to ask. = (more formally) You need only ask. [=I will gladly help you if you ask me to]

We can only guess/imagine/wonder [=we cannot know] what they will do next.

One can only hope for the best. [=there is nothing to do but hope for the best]

c - used for emphasis

I only wish [=I wish very much] you'd told me sooner.

I only hope that the mistake will be corrected soon.

It's only natural [=it's normal/reasonable] (that) you would feel that way. - sometimes used in the phrase only just

We only just missed the bus. [=we missed it by a very small amount of time; we almost caught the bus]

Our trip had only just begun.

excluding all others

The club is for women only.

The sign on the door says Employees Only.

Only employees can use that door. :nobody or nothing except

I love only you and no one else.

She said only that she knew him. [=she said nothing other than that she knew him]

The storm destroyed the house leaving only a pile of rubble.

That sound can mean only one thing. = That sound can only mean one thing.

Only the strongest will survive.

Only the best fabric will do. [=I want nothing except the best fabric]

The restaurant serves only vegetarian cuisine.

For reasons known only to her/herself, she sold her house and left town.

in no time, place, or situation except the one specified

Violence should be used only as a last resort. = Violence should only be used as a last resort.

It should be used only when (it's) absolutely necessary.

Only then did I realize that I had made a mistake.

The animal is found only on the continent of Australia.

Only in America can such things happen! [=such things cannot happen anywhere but in America]

The drug is available only by prescription. = The drug is available by prescription only.

I'll go only if he goes with me. = (more strongly) I'll go if and only if he goes with me.

We made the change only after careful consideration of the consequences.

for no other reason than

I came here only because she asked me to.

only for the sake of argument

nothing more important or serious than

It was only [=just, merely] a minor accident. No one got hurt.

I'm fine. It's only a scratch.

Who was that on the phone? Oh, it was only a salesperson.

I didn't hit him. I only touched him!

She didn't mean to insult you. She was only joking!

They were only following orders.

used to emphasize that something happened recently

It happened only [=just] last week.

I saw her here only a moment ago.

Only in the last few years have we come to understand the condition.

It seems like only yesterday that you were a baby.

a - used to say that something has or will have a particular and usually bad result

You shouldn't eat that. It will only make you sick.

The large number of people who came to help only added to the confusion.

b - used to indicate something bad or surprising that happens after something else; followed by to + verb

They won the battle, only to lose the war. [=they won the battle but lost the war]

I ran to the station only to find (that) I had missed the train.

for your eyes only

xem eye

if only

xem if

in name only

xem name

not only

used to say that both of two related statements are true

Not only did they win, they won by a landslide.

The killing of these animals is not only illegal, it's also immoral.

The game is not only lots of fun, it's educational too!

Photographs are not only permitted, they are encouraged.

I'm concerned not only for myself, but for my children (as well).

She had the nerve to accuse me of lying. And not only that, but she refused to apologize!

The festivals take place not only in the city but also in the surrounding rural areas.

only have eyes for

xem eye

only too

very or completely

He knew only too well [=he knew very well] what it meant to go to war.

They were only too ready to give up and go home.

second only to

xem second

conjunction

informal :but, however

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.

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only /'əʊnli/

only /ˈoʊnli/

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