only Meaning & Definition
What Does Only Mean?
As an adjective, only means unquestionably the best. It can also mean alone in a class or category. As an adverb, it means as a single fact or instance and nothing more or different. As a conjunction, it means with the restriction that.
Word Facts for Only
| Part of speech | adjective, adverb, conjunction |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈōn-lē/ |
| Syllables | 2 |
| Synonyms | solitary, just and exclusive |
| Antonyms | additionally, also and besides |
Only Definition (Adjective)
- unquestionably the best : peerless
is convinced that his team is the only one
- alone in a class or category : sole
the only one left / the only known species / She's the only person you can really trust.
- having no brother or sister
an only child
- few
one of the only areas not yet explored / That was one of the only times I saw him cry.
Only as an Adverb
- as a single fact or instance and nothing more or different : merely
… has only lost one election …
- solely, exclusively
known only to him
- at the very least
it was only too true
- in the final outcome
will only make you sick
- with nevertheless the final result
won the battles, only to lose the war
- as recently as : not before
only last week / only in the last year did she get recognition
- in the immediate past
only just talked to her
Only as a Conjunction
- with the restriction that : but
You may go, only come back early.
- and yet : however
They look very nice, only we can't use them.
- were it not that : except
I'd introduce you to her, only you'd win her.
Synonyms of Only
Antonyms of Only
Only in a Sentence
He is the only doctor for miles.
The only people in the stadium were the fans: no players, coaches, or officials.
He was the only male in attendance at the boyband concert.
That was the only time I went to Turkey.
He is their only son, in fact, an only child.
My heart is hers, and hers only.
I threw out only him.
The cat sat only on the mat. It kept off the sofa.
The only scientist to have won three Nobel prizes.
The cat only sat on the mat. It didn't scratch it.
If there were only one more ticket!
He left only moments ago.
Only this morning he was saying he had a problem.
It's only fair to let him borrow your kite, after you've had his toys all day.
He'd been belittling her for years. It's only natural that she left.
She's only gone and run off with the milkman!
Sure you're only gorgeous!
They rallied from a three-goal deficit only to lose in the final two minutes of play.
I spent years studying a degree only to learn there was no requirement for such a certification.
I helped him out only for him to betray me.
You're welcome to borrow my bicycle, only please take care of it.
I would enjoy running, only I have this broken leg.
She would get good results only she gets nervous.
You look like me, only shorter.
Just need to replace the filter only.
is convinced that his team is the only one
the only one left
the only known species
She's the only person you can really trust.
an only child
one of the only areas not yet explored
That was one of the only times I saw him cry.
… has only lost one election …
known only to him
it was only too true
will only make you sick
won the battles, only to lose the war
only last week
only in the last year did she get recognition
only just talked to her
You may go, only come back early.
They look very nice, only we can't use them.
I'd introduce you to her, only you'd win her.
you're doing that only to annoy me
we won the election only six days ago
I was only fooling when I said I saw a shark in the water
the only way to really appreciate the beauty of the forest is to walk through it
that is the only possible right answer
we were the only passengers on the tour bus
that's a very nice idea, only it won't help
the only one left / the only known species / She's the only person you can really trust.
one of the only areas not yet explored / That was one of the only times I saw him cry.
only last week / only in the last year did she get recognition
Word Forms & Grammar
only
only (not comparable)
only (plural onlys or onlies)
Words That Rhyme With Only
Origin of Only
Origin 1: Middle English, from Old English ānlīc, from ān one one
Origin 2: see only:1
Origin 3: From Middle English oonly, only, from Old English ānlīċ, ǣnlīċ (“only; singular; solitary”), from Proto-Germanic *ainalīkaz. Cognate with obsolete Dutch eenlijk, German ähnlich (“similar”), Old Norse álíkr, Swedish enlig (“unified”). By surface analysis, on(e) + -ly.
First Known Use
before 12th century
14th century
Only Pronunciation
You say only as /ˈōn-lē/. It has 2 syllables, with the main stress on the first syllable (ōn).
Quick Answers About Only
Is only an adjective or an adverb?
Only is mainly used as an adjective, but it can also be used as an adverb and a conjunction.
What is another word for only?
Close synonyms of only are solitary, just and exclusive. See the full list of only synonyms and antonyms.
What is the opposite of only?
Antonyms of only include additionally, also, besides and likewise.