only
UK /ˈəʊn.li/ · US /ˈoʊn.li/ adjective, adverb, conjunction, noun, particle
Forms onlys onlies onely onlie
- adjective Alone in a category. “He is the only doctor for miles.”
- adjective Singularly superior; the best.
- adjective Without sibling; without a sibling of the same gender. “He is their only son, in fact, an only child.”
- adjective (obsolete) Mere.
- adverb Without others or anything further; exclusively. “My heart is hers, and hers only.”
- adverb No more than; just. “The cat only sat on the mat. It didn't scratch it.”
- adverb As recently as. “He left only moments ago.”
- adverb Emphasizing something that is just or necessary. “It's only fair to let him borrow your kite, after you've had his toys all day.”
- adverb (UK) Used to express surprise or consternation at an action. “She's only gone and run off with the milkman!”
- adverb (Ireland, informal) Just, simply, undoubtedly. “Sure you're only gorgeous!”
- adverb Introduces a disappointing or surprising outcome that renders futile something previously mentioned. “They rallied from a three-goal deficit only to lose in the final two minutes of play.”
- adverb (obsolete) Above all others; particularly.
- conjunction Under the condition that; but. “You're welcome to borrow my bicycle, only please take care of it.”
- conjunction But, except; but in fact. “I would enjoy running, only I have this broken leg.”
- noun An only child.
- particle (Singapore, Singlish) Placed at the end of a sentence to emphasize that something is trivial, small, undemanding or deserving of belittlement. “Just need to replace the filter only.”
Synonyms
lone sole individual first and last one one and only single singular solitary unitary nonpareil peerless unequaled alone azygous incomparable matchless sui generis unique unparalleled lonesome merely simply just but entirely exclusively solely only if only when
Etymology
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.
* Regarding the different phonological development of only and one, see the note in one.
Webster’s 1913
- adjective One alone; single; as, the only man present; his only occupation.
- adjective Alone in its class; by itself; not associated with others of the same class or kind; as, an only child.
- adverb In one manner or degree; for one purpose alone; simply; merely; barely.
- adverb So and no otherwise; no other than; exclusively; solely; wholly.
Etymology [OE. only, anly, onlich, AS. anlic, i.e., onelike. See One, and Like, a.]
Etymology [See Only, a.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “only”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details