only

1 of 3

adjective

on·ly ˈōn-lē How to pronounce only (audio)

: 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

2 of 3

adverb

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

has only lost one election—

George Orwell

: 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

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

: 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—

Jack London

Example Sentences

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. See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

As its name suggests, the SheaMoisture Lavender and Wild Orchid Calming Bath, Body & Massage Oil is a multitasking formula that can be used in and out of the bath, but that's not the only reason why Dr. King gave it her seal of approval. —

Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 12 Feb. 2023 The supervision is the only way to keep gambling under control, Dana said. —

Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 12 Feb. 2023 Still, going to college in our 20s isn’t the only way to avoid cognitive declines before people hit their mid-50s. —

Linda Carroll, NBC News, 11 Feb. 2023 Now the only way for the Heat to salvage anything from the 2022 Dedmon free-agency experience would be to find a pair of buyout options who become playoff-race contributors after slotting into Dedmon’s vacated cap space. —

Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 11 Feb. 2023 But the only way the planners could see to accomplish all of this was to build an UnCadillac. —

Rich Ceppos, Car and Driver, 10 Feb. 2023 That was a victory for the economically marginalized, for whom growth is the only way up and out. —

Neal B. Freeman, National Review, 10 Feb. 2023 Contributing to that lack of sustained engagement is the pervasive idea that years-long, weekly therapy is the only way to receive adequate mental-health treatment, which can be a daunting prospect for many. —

Maggie Mertens, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2023 The only way to withstand the load is through building design and materials. —

Tim Newcomb, Popular Mechanics, 10 Feb. 2023

Adverb

Hun Sen said the article misinterpreted the facts and that only the prime minister has the authority to make decisions on foreign aid. —

Sopheng Cheang, ajc, 14 Feb. 2023 As its name suggests, each attraction may only be experienced once, but guests have until the end of Dec. 30 to knock them all off their list. —

Eve Chen, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2023 Most video feeds are also only stored for 10 days, unless a crime is captured. —

Rebekah Castor | Fox News, Fox News, 14 Feb. 2023 Many winter coats, especially peacoats, only call for dry cleaning, so check your coat’s tag or any instructions that may have come with its packaging. —

Hillary Maglin, Travel + Leisure, 13 Feb. 2023 The Rogers School Board's only seat up for election is for Zone 2. —

Dave Perozek, Arkansas Online, 13 Feb. 2023 Such fires create significant air pollution for people living in the surrounding areas, but that’s only a small part of the picture—wildfire pollution also travels the air currents, spreading far from the source, researchers have found. —

Brian Handwerk, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Feb. 2023 In eight road games against the current top-10 in adjusted defensive rating, the Magic have cleared this total only twice and have failed to surpass 100 points only four times. —

Nick Hennion, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2023 This enforcement could put at risk any U.S.-based stablecoins, like Circle’s USDC, which is second only in market cap to Tether’s USDT. —

Marco Quiroz-gutierrez, Fortune Crypto, 13 Feb. 2023 See More

Kids Definition

only

1 of 3 adjective

on·ly ˈōn-lē How to pronounce only (audio)

: the best without doubt

it's the only thing for me

: alone in or of a class or kind : sole

the only survivor of the crash

: having no brother or sister

an only child

: few entry 2 sense 1

one of the only areas not yet explored

only

2 of 3 adverb

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

worked only in the mornings

: no one or nothing other than

only you know

: at the very least

it was only too true

: in the end

it will only make you sick

: with the result

found my pen, only to lose it again

: as recently as

only last week

: in the immediate past

only just saw her

only

3 of 3 conjunction

: except that

I'd play, only I'm too tired

单词	only
释义	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 See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences 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. See More Recent Examples on the Web Adjective As its name suggests, the SheaMoisture Lavender and Wild Orchid Calming Bath, Body & Massage Oil is a multitasking formula that can be used in and out of the bath, but that's not the only reason why Dr. King gave it her seal of approval. —Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 12 Feb. 2023 The supervision is the only way to keep gambling under control, Dana said. —Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 12 Feb. 2023 Still, going to college in our 20s isn’t the only way to avoid cognitive declines before people hit their mid-50s. —Linda Carroll, NBC News, 11 Feb. 2023 Now the only way for the Heat to salvage anything from the 2022 Dedmon free-agency experience would be to find a pair of buyout options who become playoff-race contributors after slotting into Dedmon’s vacated cap space. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 11 Feb. 2023 But the only way the planners could see to accomplish all of this was to build an UnCadillac. —Rich Ceppos, Car and Driver, 10 Feb. 2023 That was a victory for the economically marginalized, for whom growth is the only way up and out. —Neal B. Freeman, National Review, 10 Feb. 2023 Contributing to that lack of sustained engagement is the pervasive idea that years-long, weekly therapy is the only way to receive adequate mental-health treatment, which can be a daunting prospect for many. —Maggie Mertens, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2023 The only way to withstand the load is through building design and materials. —Tim Newcomb, Popular Mechanics, 10 Feb. 2023 Adverb Hun Sen said the article misinterpreted the facts and that only the prime minister has the authority to make decisions on foreign aid. —Sopheng Cheang, ajc, 14 Feb. 2023 As its name suggests, each attraction may only be experienced once, but guests have until the end of Dec. 30 to knock them all off their list. —Eve Chen, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2023 Most video feeds are also only stored for 10 days, unless a crime is captured. —Rebekah Castor \| Fox News, Fox News, 14 Feb. 2023 Many winter coats, especially peacoats, only call for dry cleaning, so check your coat’s tag or any instructions that may have come with its packaging. —Hillary Maglin, Travel + Leisure, 13 Feb. 2023 The Rogers School Board's only seat up for election is for Zone 2. —Dave Perozek, Arkansas Online, 13 Feb. 2023 Such fires create significant air pollution for people living in the surrounding areas, but that’s only a small part of the picture—wildfire pollution also travels the air currents, spreading far from the source, researchers have found. —Brian Handwerk, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Feb. 2023 In eight road games against the current top-10 in adjusted defensive rating, the Magic have cleared this total only twice and have failed to surpass 100 points only four times. —Nick Hennion, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2023 This enforcement could put at risk any U.S.-based stablecoins, like Circle’s USDC, which is second only in market cap to Tether’s USDT. —Marco Quiroz-gutierrez, Fortune Crypto, 13 Feb. 2023 See More 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 all/only too for someone's eyes only if only have (only) oneself to blame just/only doing one's job it seems like only yesterday in name only not the only fish in the sea mention only in passing listen with only half an ear not just/only/merely one of the only only child only fair only natural only right only succeed in (only) time will tell only too only wish/want/hope read-only the one and only second only to read-only memory the only game in town the only (person or thing) for the only thing you're only young once eyes only only have eyes for by invitation only See More all/only too for someone's eyes only if only have (only) oneself to blame just/only doing one's job it seems like only yesterday in name only not the only fish in the sea mention only in passing listen with only half an ear not just/only/merely one of the only only child only fair only natural only right only succeed in (only) time will tell only too only wish/want/hope read-only the one and only second only to read-only memory the only game in town the only (person or thing) for the only thing you're only young once eyes only only have eyes for by invitation only See More 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 only 1 of 3 adverb 1 as in just for nothing other than you're doing that only to annoy me Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance just solely purely simply exclusively alone mostly basically primarily mainly generally largely principally substantially chiefly predominantly by and large Antonyms & Near Antonyms also likewise additionally besides 2 as in late not long ago we won the election only six days ago Synonyms & Similar Words just late lately newly now recently new freshly of late latterly Antonyms & Near Antonyms previously before early earlier formerly ago anciently heretofore hitherto erstwhile See More 3 as in merely nothing more than I was only fooling when I said I saw a shark in the water Synonyms & Similar Words just merely but simply purely only 2 of 3 adjective 1 as in exceptional having no equal or rival for excellence or desirability the only way to really appreciate the beauty of the forest is to walk through it Synonyms & Similar Words exceptional excellent extraordinary uncommon great beautiful unique rare unequaled unmatched unusual wonderful exceptional alone immense unparalleled peerless unrivaled unsurpassed incomparable matchless unsurpassable lovely superb inimitable divine nonpareil better choice special fine singular unexampled out of sight heavenly marvelous unequalled unrivalled stellar terrific awesome preferred keen prime quality famous fabulous superior fantastic marvellous mean grand prize gone top classic capital brag noble sterling brave bully dandy superlative dynamite wizard cracking splendid nifty swell fancy frontline neat number one primo gangbusters peachy fab par excellence sensational numero uno boss banner down crackerjack hype radical dope groovy bumper prizewinning cool righteous hot corking supernal peachy keen A-OK gangbuster first-rate first-class top-notch fantabulous high-class tip-top boffo out-of-sight bonny first-string jim-dandy phat bonnie bang-up five-star No. 1 blue-chip A1 high-grade Antonyms & Near Antonyms common usual normal ordinary lesser frequent worse familiar worst everyday commonplace lower ubiquitous routine bad poor garden inferior wanting low off ill paltry unacceptable household inferior unsatisfactory lousy deficient lame bastard substandard depressed terrible substandard bush awful mediocre pathetic dissatisfactory atrocious wretched vile punk rotten execrable low-grade bush-league second-class second-rate See More 2 as in one being the one or ones of a class with no other members that is the only possible right answer we were the only passengers on the tour bus Synonyms & Similar Words one lone sole unique alone special single singular solitary sui generis distinctive distinct one-off unaccompanied solo unparalleled peerless unrivaled unattended incomparable unequaled matchless unmatched unsurpassable unsurpassed separate individual inimitable unequalled unrivalled nonce Antonyms & Near Antonyms myriad mixed varied prevalent multifarious popular assorted manifold miscellaneous prevailing rampant promiscuous repeated heterogenous perennial divers recurrent patchwork motley See More only 3 of 3 conjunction as in but if it were not for the fact that that's a very nice idea, only it won't help Synonyms & Similar Words but except excepting yet saving
随便看	fotches fotching fother fothered fothergilla fothergillas fothering fothers fotses fotui fou Foucauldian Foucault Foucault current Foucault pendulum foucaultian foucquet foud fouds fouettes fouetté fougade fougades fougasse fougasses

only

adjective

adverb

conjunction

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing only

Kids Definition

adverb

adjective

conjunction