only

1 of 3

adjective

on·​ly ˈōn-lē How to pronounce only (audio)
1
: unquestionably the best : peerless
is convinced that his team is the only one
2
a
: alone in a class or category : sole
the only one left
the only known species
She's the only person you can really trust.
b
: having no brother or sister
an only child
3
: few
one of the only areas not yet explored
That was one of the only times I saw him cry.

only

2 of 3

adverb

1
a
: as a single fact or instance and nothing more or different : merely
has only lost one electionGeorge Orwell
b
: solely, exclusively
known only to him
2
: at the very least
it was only too true
3
a
: in the final outcome
will only make you sick
b
: with nevertheless the final result
won the battles, only to lose the war
4
a
: as recently as : not before
only last week
only in the last year did she get recognition
b
: in the immediate past
only just talked to her
Placement of Only in a Sentence: Usage Guide

The placement of only in a sentence has been a source of studious commentary since the 18th century, most of it intended to prove by force of argument that prevailing standard usage is wrong. After 200 years of preachment the following observations may be made: the position of only in standard spoken English is not fixed, since ambiguity is avoided through sentence stress; in casual prose that keeps close to the rhythms of speech only is often placed where it would be in speech; and in edited and more formal prose only tends to be placed immediately before the word or words it modifies.

only

3 of 3

conjunction

1
a
: with the restriction that : but
you may go, only come back early
b
: and yet : however
they look very nice, only we can't use them
2
: were it not that : except
I'd introduce you to her, only you'd win herJack London

Examples of only in a Sentence

Adjective the only way to really appreciate the beauty of the forest is to walk through it that is the only possible right answer Adverb She had been there only twice in her life. There are only two more weeks until summer vacation. It's only a matter of time before someone gets hurt. Do you really have to leave? It's only eight o'clock. He was only a baby when his father died. Leave her alone. She's only a kid. The building is only about 10 years old. It was quiet in the room, but only for a moment. She is only partly to blame. The club is for women only. Conjunction I'd love to sing along, only I don't know the words. They did have a radio, only it was broken. We wanted to buy that painting, only it was far too expensive.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
So as far as the show not coming out yet, the only frustrating part is wanting to see it and having to wait. Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Mar. 2024 This is the same hollow anti-patriotism that ruined Dunkirk (the only Nolan film set in his native country since his debut, Following). Armond White, National Review, 13 Mar. 2024 The show focused on James St. Patrick (played by Omari Hardwick), a drug dealer nicknamed Ghost whose only wish was to leave the world of crime behind and become a legitimate businessman. Damien Scott, Billboard, 13 Mar. 2024 Bozeman isn’t the only small mountain town facing sky-high housing costs. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 13 Mar. 2024 The Trojans weren’t the only ones leaving MGM Grand Garden Arena as major winners Sunday night. Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2024 Lady Gabriella is the only daughter of Prince Michael of Kent, who was first cousins with Queen Elizabeth. Kirsty Hatcher, Peoplemag, 1 Mar. 2024 Awareness-raising could be the only upside of the business, Francis said. Laura Paddison, CNN, 1 Mar. 2024 New Hampshire is the only New England state where marijuana hasn’t been legalized for adult use. Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 1 Mar. 2024
Adverb
But without leading characters, story or songs that are elevated, this love story remains not only leaden but as slight as jottings in journal. Frank Rizzo, Variety, 15 Mar. 2024 Third periods have not been kind to the San Jose Sharks all season, an unfortunate trend that’s only been exasperated in the last few weeks and on this road trip. Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2024 Because the drug was approved only for up to six months postpartum, and trials of typical antidepressants take four to six weeks each, the clock would run out before a patient had time to try brexanolone. April Dembosky, CNN, 14 Mar. 2024 Even the Top 10 only means so much, since the Michelle Yeoh drama The Brothers Sun spent several weeks on that list earlier this year, only to get canceled after a single season. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 14 Mar. 2024 The San Francisco settlement, the first of its kind, applies only to Qwick’s workers in California, which has one of the most aggressive gig worker protections in the country. Noah Bierman, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2024 The system can apply to up to 23 crops, but the government usually offers the minimum price only for rice and wheat. Rishi Lekhi and Ashok Sharma, Quartz, 14 Mar. 2024 But that’s the weird part, as that’s only half of the show’s eight total seasons. Paul Tassi, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024 The Jayhawks have only two road Big 12 wins — both in the state of Oklahoma (vs. OSU and OU) — so KU’s road struggles have been a concern all season. Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 2 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'only.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Adverb

Middle English, from Old English ānlīc, from ān one — more at one

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Conjunction

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of only was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near only

Cite this Entry

“Only.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/only. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

only

1 of 3 adjective
on·​ly ˈōn-lē How to pronounce only (audio)
1
: the best without doubt
it's the only thing for me
2
a
: alone in or of a class or kind : sole
the only survivor of the crash
b
: having no brother or sister
an only child
3
: few entry 2 sense 1
one of the only areas not yet explored

only

2 of 3 adverb
1
a
: as a single fact or instance and nothing more or different
worked only in the mornings
b
: no one or nothing other than
only you know
2
: at the very least
it was only too true
3
a
: in the end
it will only make you sick
b
: with the result
found my pen, only to lose it again
4
a
: as recently as
only last week
b
: in the immediate past
only just saw her

only

3 of 3 conjunction
: except that
I'd play, only I'm too tired

More from Merriam-Webster on only

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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