Only
WordNet
adjective
(1) Exclusive of anyone or anything else
"She alone believed him"
"Cannot live by bread alone"
"I'll have this car and this car only"
adverb
(2) 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"
(3) 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"
(4) With nevertheless the final result
"He arrived only to find his wife dead"
"We won only to lose again in the next round"
(5) In the final outcome
"These news will only make you more upset"
(6) As recently as
"I spoke to him only an hour ago"
(7) Except that
"It was the same story; only this time she came out better"
(8) Never except when
"Call me only if your cold gets worse"
WiktionaryText
Etymology
, from ; corresponding to + /. Cognate with , , and obsolete .
Adjective
- singular; part of a relatively small number
- he is the only doctor for miles
- without sibling; without a sibling of the same gender
- he is their only son, in fact, an only child
- singularly superior; the best
Adverb
only
- without others or anything further; exclusively
- my heart is hers, and hers only
- no more than; just
- if there were only one more ticket!
- as recently as
- he left only moments ago
Conjunction
- Under the condition that; but.
- However.
- I would enjoy running, only I have this broken leg
- But for the fact that; except.