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only

on·ly [ ṓnlee ]

adverb

Definition:

1. solely: used to indicate the one thing or person that solely or exclusively happens or is involved in a situation

facilities for club members only

I will act only in the best interests of our country.

The regulations apply only to new firms.

2. indicating condition: used to indicate the condition that exists for something to happen or be true

I'll go to the party, but only if you come with me.

3. merely: merely the situation, level, or amount indicated

I could only stand and look.

That's only part of the picture.

4. no more and no less: just the amount specified

There are only 3.3 people at work for every person retired.

5. as recently as: considered as happening very recently

only last March

6. indicating event happening immediately after: used to introduce a surprising or unpleasant event that happens immediately after the one mentioned

We rushed the cat to the vet, only to find there was nothing wrong with it.

adjective

Definition:

1. single person or thing: used to indicate the single person or thing involved in a situation

the only Democratic candidate

the only barrier between himself and the job

2. with no siblings: with no brothers or sisters

an only child

adverb

Definition:

Ireland emphasizing: used to emphasize a statement

It was only terrible.

conj

Definition:

but: but or except

It's the same product, only better.

[ Old English ānlic< ān "one" (see one)]

only too used to emphasize the extent to which something is true

Scenes like this are getting only too familiar.

Word Usage


	Position of only . Avoid ambiguity in the placement of the limiting adverb only. The position of only within a sentence can determine the meaning of the entire sentence. As a general rule, put it next to the word you want it to modify: She had only a dollar.Only she had a dollar or She only had a dollar. Avoid putting only between a subject and a verb and between an auxiliary verb and a main verb: He only does these things to get attention where He does these things only to get attention is better. Similarly, I will only stop the car once on the way there is less desirable than I will stop the car only once on the way there.