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What is "only" in English? Definition and Explanations

Updated: 23-06-2026 by Wikilanguages.net
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What does only mean in English? Meaning of only definition and abbreviation with examples.

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pronunciation pronunciation

What is "only" in English? Definition and Explanations

Meaning of "only": being the only one; single and isolated from others

Adjective

  • Meaning: being the only one; single and isolated from others
  • Example: the lone doctor in the entire county a lonesome pine an only child the sole heir the sole example a solitary instance of cowardice a solitary speck in the sky
  • Synonyms: lone lonesome only sole solitary
  • Similar: single

    • Pronunciation in US: /ˈoʊn.li/

    Pronunciation in UK: /ˈəʊn.lɪ/

    Hyphenation: on‧ly

    Meaning of "only": and nothing more

    Adverb

  • Meaning: and nothing more
  • Example: I was merely asking it is simply a matter of time just a scratch he was only a child hopes that last but a moment
  • Synonyms: but just merely only simply

    • Pronunciation in US: /ˈoʊn.li/

    Pronunciation in UK: /ˈəʊn.lɪ/

    Hyphenation: on‧ly

    Meaning of "only": exclusive of anyone or anything else

    Adjective

  • Meaning: exclusive of anyone or anything else
  • Example: she alone believed him cannot live by bread alone I'll have this car and this car only
  • Synonyms: alone only
  • Similar: exclusive

    • Pronunciation in US: /ˈoʊn.li/

    Pronunciation in UK: /ˈəʊn.lɪ/

    Hyphenation: on‧ly

    Meaning of "only": without any others being included or involved

    Adverb

  • Meaning: without any others being included or involved
  • Example: was entirely to blame a school devoted entirely to the needs of problem children he works for Mr. Smith exclusively did it solely for money the burden of proof rests on the prosecution alone a privilege granted only to him
  • Synonyms: alone entirely exclusively only solely

    • Pronunciation in US: /ˈoʊn.li/

    Pronunciation in UK: /ˈəʊn.lɪ/

    Hyphenation: on‧ly

    Meaning of "only": with nevertheless the final result

    Adverb

  • Meaning: with nevertheless the final result
  • Example: He arrived only to find his wife dead We won only to lose again in the next round
  • Synonyms: only

    • Pronunciation in US: /ˈoʊn.li/

    Pronunciation in UK: /ˈəʊn.lɪ/

    Hyphenation: on‧ly

    Meaning of "only": in the final outcome

    Adverb

  • Meaning: in the final outcome
  • Example: These news will only make you more upset
  • Synonyms: only

    • Pronunciation in US: /ˈoʊn.li/

    Pronunciation in UK: /ˈəʊn.lɪ/

    Hyphenation: on‧ly

    Meaning of "only": except that

    Adverb

  • Meaning: except that
  • Example: It was the same story; only this time she came out better
  • Synonyms: only

    • Pronunciation in US: /ˈoʊn.li/

    Pronunciation in UK: /ˈəʊn.lɪ/

    Hyphenation: on‧ly

    Meaning of "only": never except when

    Adverb

  • Meaning: never except when
  • Example: call me only if your cold gets worse
  • Synonyms: only only if only when

    • Pronunciation in US: /ˈoʊn.li/

    Pronunciation in UK: /ˈəʊn.lɪ/

    Hyphenation: on‧ly

    Meaning of "only": as recently as

    Adverb

  • Meaning: as recently as
  • Example: I spoke to him only an hour ago
  • Synonyms: only

    • Pronunciation in US: /ˈoʊn.li/

    Pronunciation in UK: /ˈəʊn.lɪ/

    Hyphenation: on‧ly

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