英语词汇“only”的英英意思、用法、释义、翻译、读音、例句、短语、词组-英语词典

only

(oʊnli )

language note: In written English, only is usually placed immediately before the word it qualifies. In spoken English, however, you can use stress to indicate what only qualifies, so its position is not so important.

1. adverb [ADVERB before verb] A2

You use only to indicate the one thing that is true, appropriate, or necessary in a particular situation, in contrast to all the other things that are not true, appropriate, or necessary.

Only the President could authorize the use of the atomic bomb.

Only here were the police visible in any strength at all.

44-year-old woman seeks caring, honest male for friendship and fun. Genuine replies only.

A business can only be built and expanded on a sound financial base.

It's true that I seem to have forgotten you, but it only seems that way.

2. adverb A2

You use only to introduce the thing which must happen before the thing mentioned in the main part of the sentence can happen.

The lawyer is paid only if he wins.

The Bank of England insists that it will cut interest rates only when it is ready.

We surely tolerate this system only because it is familiar to us.

3. adjective A1

If you talk about the only person or thing involved in a particular situation, you mean there are no others involved in it.

She was the only woman in the company's legal department.

My cat Gustaf was the only thing I had - the only company.

That left Mr Dertliev as the only candidate.

4. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]

An only child is a child who has no brothers or sisters.

5. adverb [ADVERB before verb] B1

You use only to indicate that something is no more important, interesting, or difficult, for example, than you say it is, especially when you want to correct a wrong idea that someone may get or has already got.

At the moment it is only a theory.

'I'm only a sergeant,' said Clements.

Don't get defensive, Charlie. I was only joking.

Synonyms: just, simply, purely, merely

6. adverb A1

You use only to emphasize how small an amount is or how short a length of time is. [emphasis]

Child car seats only cost about £10 a week to hire.

...spacecraft guidance systems weighing only a few grams.

Decaffeinated coffee is only a bit better for you.

I've only recently met him.

7. adverb [ADVERB noun] A2

You use only to emphasize that you are talking about a small part of an amount or group, not the whole of it. [emphasis]

These are only a few of the possibilities.

Only a minority of the people supported the Revolution.

8. adverb

Only is used after 'can' or 'could' to emphasize that it is impossible to do anything except the rather inadequate or limited action that is mentioned. [emphasis]

For a moment I could say nothing. I could only stand and look.

The police can only guess at the scale of the problem.

9. adverb [ADVERB before verb] B2

You can use only in the expressions I only wish or I only hope in order to emphasize what you are hoping or wishing. [emphasis]

I only wish he were here now that things are getting better for me.

We can only hope that the elephants can recover.

10. conjunction

Only can be used to add a comment which slightly changes or limits what you have just said. [informal]

It's just as dramatic as a film, only it's real.

It's a bit like my house, only nicer.

Drop in and see me when you're ready. Only don't take too long about it.

11. conjunction

Only can be used after a clause with 'would' to indicate why something is not done. [spoken]

I'd invite you to come with me, only it's such a long way.

I'd be quite happy to go. Only I don't know what my kids would say about living there.

12. adverb [ADV to-inf]

You can use only before an infinitive to introduce an event which happens immediately after one you have just mentioned, and which is rather surprising or unfortunate.

Ryle tried the Embassy, only to be told that Hugh was in a meeting.

He raced through the living room, only to find the front door closed.

13. adverb [usually ADVERB adjective]

You can use only to emphasize how appropriate a certain course of action or type of behaviour is. [emphasis]

It's only fair to let her know that you intend to apply.

She appeared to have changed considerably, which was only to be expected.

14. adverb [ADVERB before verb]

You can use only in front of a verb to indicate that the result of something is unfortunate or undesirable and is likely to make the situation worse rather than better.

The embargo would only hurt innocent civilians.

She says that legalising prostitution will only cause problems.

15. have only to/only have to phrase

If you say you only have to or have only to do one thing in order to achieve or prove a second thing, you are emphasizing how easily the second thing can be achieved or proved. [emphasis]

Any time you want a babysitter, dear, you only have to ask.

We have only to read the labels to know what ingredients are in foods.

16. only just phrase B1

You can say that something has only just happened when you want to emphasize that it happened a very short time ago. [emphasis]

I've only just arrived.

The signs of an economic revival are only just beginning.

You're only just back from leave.

17. only just phrase B2

You use only just to emphasize that something is true, but by such a small degree that it is almost not true at all. [emphasis]

For centuries farmers there have only just managed to survive.

I am old enough to remember the Blitz, but only just.

'I think we could agree on that one.'—'Only just.'

18. only too phrase

You can say that you are only too happy to do something to emphasize how willing you are to do it. [emphasis]

I'll be only too pleased to help them out with any queries.

19. only too phrase

You can use only too to emphasize that something is true or exists to a much greater extent than you would expect or like. [emphasis]

I know only too well that plans can easily go wrong.

When the new baby comes along, it is only too easy to shut out the others.

20. if only phrase B1+

You use if only with past tenses to introduce what you think is a fairly good reason for doing something, although you realize it may not be a very good one.

She writes me often, if only to scold me because I haven't written to her.

They deserved their title, if only for winning in Dublin against their main challengers.

21. not only adverb B2

You use not in expressions such as 'not only', 'not just', and 'not simply' to emphasize that something is true, but it is not the whole truth. [emphasis]

These movies were not only making money; they were also perceived to be original.

The 1790s were bad times, not just in Scotland but all across England.

Hoffman did not simply oppose the system; he used the system against itself.

22. the one and only phrase

The one and only can be used in front of the name of an actor, singer, or other famous person when they are being introduced on a show.

...one of the greatest ever rock performers, the one and only Tina Turner.

Collocations:

only grandchild

She was my only grandchild, very chatty, very friendly, very funny, very clever.

The Sun

Then, in 2009, my first and only grandchild was born.

Times, Sunday Times

Is her action legal or can she be made to fulfil my father's wishes for his only grandchildren?

The Sun

We were the only grandchildren, so we were lavished with affection.

Times, Sunday Times

only hint

Sadly, apart from a big heated swimming pool in the garden, it's the only hint of glamour in the place.

Times, Sunday Times

While events may only hint at what's coming, they're enticing enough that you feel more positive than for ages.

Times, Sunday Times

But it can only hint at what could have been had he spent less time starting and more time finishing.

Times, Sunday Times

The only hint of how much blood he spilt on the carpets that his shoeless feet used to pad across comes in the final chapter.

Times, Sunday Times

The only hint of stress was an admission that 'it's been a very busy day and it was actually quite a long night'.

Times, Sunday Times

only temporary

Love takes a back seat but it's only temporary.

The Sun

But don't worry too much, as they're only temporary.

The Sun

Only temporary vacancies for engineers defied the downturn.

The Sun

His silence, though, was only temporary - normal service being resumed soon enough with more yelled orders, hand signals and a lot of head-shaking.

The Sun

The snow was only temporary, though, as milder air followed from the west.

Times, Sunday Times

Translations:

Chinese: 唯一的, 仅仅, 唯一的

Japanese: 唯一の, 単に, ただ一人の

单词	only
释义	only (oʊnli ) language note: In written English, only is usually placed immediately before the word it qualifies. In spoken English, however, you can use stress to indicate what only qualifies, so its position is not so important. 1. adverb [ADVERB before verb] A2 You use only to indicate the one thing that is true, appropriate, or necessary in a particular situation, in contrast to all the other things that are not true, appropriate, or necessary. Only the President could authorize the use of the atomic bomb. Only here were the police visible in any strength at all. 44-year-old woman seeks caring, honest male for friendship and fun. Genuine replies only. A business can only be built and expanded on a sound financial base. It's true that I seem to have forgotten you, but it only seems that way. 2. adverb A2 You use only to introduce the thing which must happen before the thing mentioned in the main part of the sentence can happen. The lawyer is paid only if he wins. The Bank of England insists that it will cut interest rates only when it is ready. We surely tolerate this system only because it is familiar to us. 3. adjective A1 If you talk about the only person or thing involved in a particular situation, you mean there are no others involved in it. She was the only woman in the company's legal department. My cat Gustaf was the only thing I had - the only company. That left Mr Dertliev as the only candidate. 4. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun] An only child is a child who has no brothers or sisters. 5. adverb [ADVERB before verb] B1 You use only to indicate that something is no more important, interesting, or difficult, for example, than you say it is, especially when you want to correct a wrong idea that someone may get or has already got. At the moment it is only a theory. 'I'm only a sergeant,' said Clements. Don't get defensive, Charlie. I was only joking. Synonyms: just, simply, purely, merely 6. adverb A1 You use only to emphasize how small an amount is or how short a length of time is. [emphasis] Child car seats only cost about £10 a week to hire. ...spacecraft guidance systems weighing only a few grams. Decaffeinated coffee is only a bit better for you. I've only recently met him. 7. adverb [ADVERB noun] A2 You use only to emphasize that you are talking about a small part of an amount or group, not the whole of it. [emphasis] These are only a few of the possibilities. Only a minority of the people supported the Revolution. 8. adverb Only is used after 'can' or 'could' to emphasize that it is impossible to do anything except the rather inadequate or limited action that is mentioned. [emphasis] For a moment I could say nothing. I could only stand and look. The police can only guess at the scale of the problem. 9. adverb [ADVERB before verb] B2 You can use only in the expressions I only wish or I only hope in order to emphasize what you are hoping or wishing. [emphasis] I only wish he were here now that things are getting better for me. We can only hope that the elephants can recover. 10. conjunction Only can be used to add a comment which slightly changes or limits what you have just said. [informal] It's just as dramatic as a film, only it's real. It's a bit like my house, only nicer. Drop in and see me when you're ready. Only don't take too long about it. 11. conjunction Only can be used after a clause with 'would' to indicate why something is not done. [spoken] I'd invite you to come with me, only it's such a long way. I'd be quite happy to go. Only I don't know what my kids would say about living there. 12. adverb [ADV to-inf] You can use only before an infinitive to introduce an event which happens immediately after one you have just mentioned, and which is rather surprising or unfortunate. Ryle tried the Embassy, only to be told that Hugh was in a meeting. He raced through the living room, only to find the front door closed. 13. adverb [usually ADVERB adjective] You can use only to emphasize how appropriate a certain course of action or type of behaviour is. [emphasis] It's only fair to let her know that you intend to apply. She appeared to have changed considerably, which was only to be expected. 14. adverb [ADVERB before verb] You can use only in front of a verb to indicate that the result of something is unfortunate or undesirable and is likely to make the situation worse rather than better. The embargo would only hurt innocent civilians. She says that legalising prostitution will only cause problems. 15. have only to/only have to phrase If you say you only have to or have only to do one thing in order to achieve or prove a second thing, you are emphasizing how easily the second thing can be achieved or proved. [emphasis] Any time you want a babysitter, dear, you only have to ask. We have only to read the labels to know what ingredients are in foods. 16. only just phrase B1 You can say that something has only just happened when you want to emphasize that it happened a very short time ago. [emphasis] I've only just arrived. The signs of an economic revival are only just beginning. You're only just back from leave. 17. only just phrase B2 You use only just to emphasize that something is true, but by such a small degree that it is almost not true at all. [emphasis] For centuries farmers there have only just managed to survive. I am old enough to remember the Blitz, but only just. 'I think we could agree on that one.'—'Only just.' 18. only too phrase You can say that you are only too happy to do something to emphasize how willing you are to do it. [emphasis] I'll be only too pleased to help them out with any queries. 19. only too phrase You can use only too to emphasize that something is true or exists to a much greater extent than you would expect or like. [emphasis] I know only too well that plans can easily go wrong. When the new baby comes along, it is only too easy to shut out the others. 20. if only phrase B1+ You use if only with past tenses to introduce what you think is a fairly good reason for doing something, although you realize it may not be a very good one. She writes me often, if only to scold me because I haven't written to her. They deserved their title, if only for winning in Dublin against their main challengers. 21. not only adverb B2 You use not in expressions such as 'not only', 'not just', and 'not simply' to emphasize that something is true, but it is not the whole truth. [emphasis] These movies were not only making money; they were also perceived to be original. The 1790s were bad times, not just in Scotland but all across England. Hoffman did not simply oppose the system; he used the system against itself. 22. the one and only phrase The one and only can be used in front of the name of an actor, singer, or other famous person when they are being introduced on a show. ...one of the greatest ever rock performers, the one and only Tina Turner. Collocations: only grandchild She was my only grandchild, very chatty, very friendly, very funny, very clever. The Sun Then, in 2009, my first and only grandchild was born. Times, Sunday Times Is her action legal or can she be made to fulfil my father's wishes for his only grandchildren? The Sun We were the only grandchildren, so we were lavished with affection. Times, Sunday Times only hint Sadly, apart from a big heated swimming pool in the garden, it's the only hint of glamour in the place. Times, Sunday Times While events may only hint at what's coming, they're enticing enough that you feel more positive than for ages. Times, Sunday Times But it can only hint at what could have been had he spent less time starting and more time finishing. Times, Sunday Times The only hint of how much blood he spilt on the carpets that his shoeless feet used to pad across comes in the final chapter. Times, Sunday Times The only hint of stress was an admission that 'it's been a very busy day and it was actually quite a long night'. Times, Sunday Times only temporary Love takes a back seat but it's only temporary. The Sun But don't worry too much, as they're only temporary. The Sun Only temporary vacancies for engineers defied the downturn. The Sun His silence, though, was only temporary - normal service being resumed soon enough with more yelled orders, hand signals and a lot of head-shaking. The Sun The snow was only temporary, though, as milder air followed from the west. Times, Sunday Times Translations: Chinese: 唯一的, 仅仅, 唯一的 Japanese: 唯一の, 単に, ただ一人の
随便看	acquire a company acquire a habit acquire a licence acquire an asset acquire an infection acquire an understanding acquire a reputation for acquire a rival acquire a skill acquire assets acquire a stake acquire a status acquire a taste acquire a title acquire citizenship acquired immune deficiency syndrome acquired taste acquire equipment acquire experience acquire expertise acquire fame acquire illegally acquire information acquire knowledge acquire land