| 单词 | only |
| 释义 | adverb | adjective | conjunction onlyonly1 /ˈoʊnli/ ●●● S1 W1 adverb 1used to emphasize that a particular amount, number, distance, etc. is small: Becky was only three when she started to read. We need five chairs, but we only have three.2nothing or no one except the thing or person mentioned: Of course you’re cold. You’re only wearing a T-shirt. Only Denny got all six answers right. The restrooms are for customers only. She is a member of a women-only health club.3in one place, situation, or way, and no other, or for one reason and no other: These flowers grow only in Hawaii. She’ll lend us the car, but only if I drive. I ate the food, but only because I was starving.THESAURUSjust – just means the same as only but is used more in spoken English: I didn’t mean to bother you – I was just trying to help.simply – for one reason or purpose that is easy to understand, and not for any others. Simply sounds more formal than only or just: She had made errors on the test simply because of carelessness.purely – only for the reason or purpose you say: He plays the piano purely for pleasure, and never for an audience.merely formal – used to emphasize that something is done only for the reason you say, and not for a more serious or important reason: I was not trying to blame you; I was merely asking what happened.4used to say that something or someone is not very important, serious, etc.: He’s only a beginner. I was only joking. It’s an interesting job, but it’s only temporary.5no earlier than a particular time: I only got here last night. It was only then that I realized he was lying (=at that moment and not before).6only just a very short time ago: We’ve only just begun to understand how serious the situation is.7if only a)used to give a reason for something, although you think it is not a good one: Just call her, if only to say you’re sorry. b)used to express a strong wish: If only I could be 15 again!8only too well/happy/willing etc. very or completely well, happy, etc.: Scott was only too happy to tell the story.9only to find/learn/discover etc. used to say that someone did something, with a disappointing or surprising result: We arrived at the airport only to find that the plane had already left.SPOKEN PHRASES10I only wish/hope used to express a strong wish or hope: I only wish I knew how I could help.11only so many/much used to say that there is a limited amount or quantity of something: There’s only so much one person can do alone.12somebody’ll/something’ll only do something used to talk about the bad effect of something: Don’t interfere – you’ll only make things worse.13you only have to read something/look at something etc. used to say that it is easy to realize that something is true because you can see or hear things that prove it: Of course she’s in love. You only have to look at her face.14I can only assume/suppose etc. used to say that you can think of one explanation for something surprising or disappointing and no other: I can only assume that it was a mistake. → see also only have eyes for somebody at eye1 (33), not only...but (also) at not (4)USAGE: onlyThe meaning of a sentence can change depending on where you use only. To make the meaning of your sentence clear, it is best to put only directly before the word it modifies: Only Paul saw the lion (=no one except Paul saw it). Paul only saw the lion (=he saw it, but he did not do anything else to it, such as touch it). Paul saw only the lion (=the lion was the only animal he saw). adverb | adjective | conjunction onlyonly2 ●●● S1 W1 adjective [only before noun] 1used to say that there is one person, thing, or group in a particular situation and no others: I was the only woman in the room. The only food in the house was a box of crackers. She’s the only person for this job. I was the only one who disagreed.THESAURUSsingle – used to emphasize that you mean one, and only one: They won the game by a single point.sole – sole means the same as only but sounds more formal or literary: The fireplace was the sole source of heat in the cabin.lone – used to emphasize that someone or something is the only one doing an activity or existing in a place. Used especially in writing: A small boy was the lone survivor of the shipwreck.solitary formal – a solitary object is the only one you can see in a place, in a way that seems lonely or sad: A solitary lamp sat in the corner.unique – a unique thing is the only one of its kind: Each person’s fingerprints are unique.2the only thing is... spoken used when you are going to mention a problem or disadvantage about something: It’s a great apartment. The only thing is it’s a little expensive.3an only child a child who has no brothers or sisters → see also one and only at one4 (3) adverb | adjective | conjunction onlyonly3 ●●○ conjunction informal used like “but” to introduce the reason why something is not possible: I’d offer to help, only I’m kind of busy right now. |
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