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only

SayOHN-lee/ˈoʊn.li/UK/ˈəʊn.li/

14 meanings of only

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  1. 1
    solelyadverb
    And no one or nothing else, as in 'only you can help'.

    Think of it like a spotlight that leaves everything else dark.

    Only members may use the pool.

    She eats only vegetables.

    UsagePut only before the word it is about: only Sam.

    Similarexclusively, solely, just

    Note
  2. 2
    adverb
    No more than, as in 'it only costs a pound'.

    It only takes five minutes.

    I only wanted to help, not to take over.

    UsageSay only twelve or just twelve.

    Similarjust, merely

    Note
  3. 3
    adjective
    The single person or thing of a kind, or a child with no brothers or sisters.

    My cousin is an only child, so she has her own room.

    This is the only shop in the village that sells bread.

    UsageUse the or my (the only road, my only chance), or say an only child.

    Similarsole, single, lone, one

  4. 4
    adverb
    Not until a certain time or event, showing that something happened later than you might think.

    We found out about the surprise party only after it was over.

    The bus came only after we had waited for an hour.

    UsageSay Only then did she leave.

  5. 5
    disappointing endadverb
    Used before 'to' to say what happened next was a disappointment.

    We drove all the way to the beach, only to find it closed.

    I ran to the station, only to see the train leave.

    UsageUse only to followed by a verb: She hurried home, only to find the door locked.

  6. 6
    as recently asadverb
    As recently as, as in 'only yesterday'.

    I saw her only yesterday.

    The bridge opened only last month.

    UsagePut only right before the time: only last week, only a year ago.

    Similarjust

    Note

Practice

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Origin

From Old English words meaning "only" or "alone," formed from "one" plus "-ly."

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts