Adjacent Words

Only definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

ONLY, a.
1. Single; one along; as, John was the only man present.
2. This and no other. This is an only child.
3. This above all others. He is the only man for music.
ONLY, adv.
1. Singly; merely; barely; in one manner or for one purpose along.
I purpose my thoughts only as conjectures.
And to be loved himself, needs only to be known.
2. This and no other wise.
Every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Genesis 6.
3. Singly; without more; as only-begotten.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

adj
1: being the only one; single and isolated from others; "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" [syn: lone, lonesome, only, sole, solitary]
2: exclusive of anyone or anything else; "she alone believed him"; "cannot live by bread alone"; "I'll have this car and this car only" [syn: alone, only] adv
1: and nothing more; "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" [syn: merely, simply, just, only, but]
2: without any others being included or involved; "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" [syn: entirely, exclusively, solely, alone, only]
3: with nevertheless the final result; "He arrived only to find his wife dead"; "We won only to lose again in the next round"
4: in the final outcome; "These news will only make you more upset"
5: except that; "It was the same story; only this time she came out better"
6: never except when; "call me only if your cold gets worse" [syn: only, only if, only when]
7: as recently as; "I spoke to him only an hour ago"

Merriam Webster's

I. adjective Etymology: Middle English, from Old English ?nl?c, from ?n one — more at one Date: before 12th century 1. unquestionably the best ; peerless 2. a. alone in a class or category ; sole <the only one left> <the only known species> b. having no brother or sister <an only child> 3. few <one of the only areas not yet explored> II. adverb Date: 14th century 1. a. as a single fact or instance and nothing more or different ; merely <has only lost one election — George 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> Usage: 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. III. conjunction Date: 14th century 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 her — Jack London>

Oxford Reference Dictionary

adv., adj., & conj. --adv. 1 solely, merely, exclusively; and no one or nothing more besides (I only want to sit down; will only make matters worse; needed six only; is only a child). 2 no longer ago than (saw them only yesterday). 3 not until (arrives only on Tuesday). 4 with no better result than (hurried home only to find her gone). Usage: In informal English only is usually placed between the subject and verb regardless of what it refers to (e.g. I only want to talk to you); in more formal English it is often placed more exactly, esp. to avoid ambiguity (e.g. I want to talk only to you). In speech, intonation usually serves to clarify the sense. --attrib.adj. 1 existing alone of its or their kind (their only son). 2 best or alone worth knowing (the only place to eat). --conj. colloq. 1 except that; but for the fact that (I would go, only I feel ill). 2 but then (as an extra consideration) (he always makes promises, only he never keeps them). Phrases and idioms: only-begotten literary begotten as the only child. only too extremely (is only too willing). Etymology: OE anlic, ænlic, ME onliche (as ONE, -LY(2))

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Only On"ly, adv. [See Only, a.] 1. In one manner or degree; for one purpose alone; simply; merely; barely. And to be loved himself, needs only to be known. --Dryden. 2. So and no otherwise; no other than; exclusively; solely; wholly. ``She being only wicked.'' --Beau. & Fl. Every imagination . . . of his heart was only evil. --Gen. vi. 5. 3. Singly; without more; as, only-begotten. 4. Above all others; particularly. [Obs.] His most only elected mistress. --Marston.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Only On"ly, a. [OE. only, anly, onlich, AS. [=a]nlic, i.e., onelike. See One, and Like, a.] 1. One alone; single; as, the only man present; his only occupation. 2. Alone in its class; by itself; not associated with others of the same class or kind; as, an only child. 3. Hence, figuratively: Alone, by reason of superiority; pre["e]minent; chief. ``Motley's the only wear.'' --Shak.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Only On"ly, conj. Save or except (that); -- an adversative used elliptically with or without that, and properly introducing a single fact or consideration. He might have seemed some secretary or clerk . . . only that his low, flat, unadorned cap . . . indicated that he belonged to the city. --Sir W. Scott.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English. Note: In written English, 'only' is usually placed immediately before the word it qualifies. In spoken English, however, you can use stress to indicate what 'only' qualifies, so its position is not so important. 1. You use only to indicate the one thing that is true, appropriate, or necessary in a particular situation, in contrast to all the other things that are not true, appropriate, or necessary. Only the President could authorize the use of the atomic bomb... Only here were the police visible in any strength at all... 44-year-old woman seeks caring, honest male of similar age for friendship and fun. Genuine replies only... A business can only be built and expanded on a sound financial base... ADV: ADV with group, ADV before v 2. You use only to introduce the thing which must happen before the thing mentioned in the main part of the sentence can happen. The lawyer is paid only if he wins... The Bank of England insists that it will cut interest rates only when it is ready... ADV: ADV cl/prep 3. If you talk about the only person or thing involved in a particular situation, you mean there are no others involved in it. She was the only woman in Shell's legal department... My cat Gustaf was the only thing I had - the only company. ADJ: det ADJ 4. An only child is a child who has no brothers or sisters. ADJ: ADJ n 5. You use only to indicate that something is no more important, interesting, or difficult, for example, than you say it is, especially when you want to correct a wrong idea that someone may get or has already got. At the moment it is only a theory... 'I'm only a sergeant,' said Clements... Don't get defensive, Charlie. I was only joking. = just ADV: ADV group, ADV before v 6. You use only to emphasize how small an amount is or how short a length of time is. Child car seats only cost about £10 a week to hire. ...spacecraft guidance systems weighing only a few grams... I've only recently met him. ADV: ADV n/adv [emphasis] 7. You use only to emphasize that you are talking about a small part of an amount or group, not the whole of it. These are only a few of the possibilities... Only a minority of the people supported the Revolution. ADV: ADV n [emphasis] 8. Only is used after 'can' or 'could' to emphasize that it is impossible to do anything except the rather inadequate or limited action that is mentioned. For a moment I could say nothing. I could only stand and look... The police can only guess at the scale of the problem. ADV: modal ADV inf [emphasis] 9. You can use only in the expressions I only wish or I only hope in order to emphasize what you are hoping or wishing. I only wish he were here now that things are getting better for me... = just ADV: ADV before v [emphasis] 10. Only can be used to add a comment which slightly changes or limits what you have just said. (INFORMAL) It's just as dramatic as a film, only it's real... Drop in and see me when you're ready. Only don't take too long about it. = but, except CONJ 11. Only can be used after a clause with 'would' to indicate why something is not done. (SPOKEN) I'd invite you to come with me, only it's such a long way... I'd be quite happy to go. Only I don't know what my kids would say about living there. = but CONJ 12. You can use only before an infinitive to introduce an event which happens immediately after one you have just mentioned, and which is rather surprising or unfortunate. Ryle tried the Embassy, only to be told that Hugh was in a meeting... He raced through the living room, only to find the front door closed. ADV: ADV to-inf 13. You can use only to emphasize how appropriate a certain course of action or type of behaviour is. It's only fair to let her know that you intend to apply... She appeared to have changed considerably, which was only to be expected. ADV: usu ADV adj, also ADV to-inf [emphasis] 14. You can use only in front of a verb to indicate that the result of something is unfortunate or undesirable and is likely to make the situation worse rather than better. The embargo would only hurt innocent civilians... She says that legalising prostitution will only cause problems. = just ADV: ADV before v 15. If you say you only have to or have only to do one thing in order to achieve or prove a second thing, you are emphasizing how easily the second thing can be achieved or proved. Any time you want a babysitter, dear, you only have to ask... We have only to read the labels to know what ingredients are in foods. PHRASE: V inflects, PHR inf [emphasis] 16. You can say that something has only just happened when you want to emphasize that it happened a very short time ago. I've only just arrived... The signs of an economic revival are only just beginning... PHRASE: PHR before v, PHR adv [emphasis] 17. You use only just to emphasize that something is true, but by such a small degree that it is almost not true at all. For centuries farmers there have only just managed to survive... I am old enough to remember the Blitz, but only just... PHRASE: usu PHR before v, PHR with cl/group [emphasis] 18. You can use only too to emphasize that something is true or exists to a much greater extent than you would expect or like. I know only too well that plans can easily go wrong... When the new baby comes along it is only too easy to shut out the others. PHRASE: PHR adv/adj [emphasis] 19. You can say that you are only too happy to do something to emphasize how willing you are to do it. I'll be only too pleased to help them out with any queries. PHRASE: PHR adj [emphasis] 20. if only: see if not only: see not the one and only: see one

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

I. a. Sole, solitary, alone, single. II. ad. 1. Merely, barely, simply, and nothing else. 2. Solely, no other than. 3. Singly, without more. III. conj. But, excepting that.

Moby Thesaurus

absolute, after a fashion, alone, appreciably, at any rate, at best, at least, at most, at the least, at the most, at the outside, at worst, azygous, barely, but, celibate, companionless, comparatively, contrariwise, detectably, entirely, exclusive, exclusively, fairly, first and last, however, impair, in a manner, in a way, in part, in some measure, incomparable, incompletely, inimitable, integrally, irreducibly, just, leastwise, lone, matchless, merely, mildly, moderately, modestly, not comprehensively, not exhaustively, odd, on the contrary, one, one and only, only-begotten, part, partially, particular, partly, peerless, plainly, pro tanto, purely, relatively, separate, simply, simply and solely, single, singly, singular, so far, sole, solely, solitary, solo, somewhat, thus far, to a degree, to some degree, tolerably, totally, transcendent, unaccompanied, unanalyzably, unattended, undividedly, unequaled, unexampled, unique, unmatched, unpaired, unparagoned, unparalleled, unrepeatable, unrepeated, unrivaled, visibly, wholly, yet