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.
1
a
: as a single fact or instance and nothing more or different : merely
has only lost one election—
George Orwell
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
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.
Synonyms
Adjective
- incomparable
- inimitable
- matchless
- nonpareil
- peerless
- unequaled
- unequalled
- unexampled
- unmatched
- unparalleled
- unrivaled
- unrivalled
- unsurpassable
- unsurpassed
Adverb
Conjunction
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
Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 28 Nov. 2024
The only January signing to have any real impact for Manchester City since 2018 was Julian Alvarez, who was signed from River Plate in January 2022 but didn’t actually arrive in Manchester until the summer.
—Steve Price, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
Nichols was staying alone in the motel and had only been there a short time, Westminster police said in the time following her death.
—City News Service, Orange County Register, 16 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for only 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adjective
Really, the only limitation here is creativity (and perhaps what the recipient’s personality allows).
—Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 28 Nov. 2024
The only January signing to have any real impact for Manchester City since 2018 was Julian Alvarez, who was signed from River Plate in January 2022 but didn’t actually arrive in Manchester until the summer.
—Steve Price, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
Adverb
The 49ers’ only divisional win this season came by outlasting the Seahawks 36-24 in a Thursday night, Oct. 10 visit to Seattle.
—Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
Nichols was staying alone in the motel and had only been there a short time, Westminster police said in the time following her death.
—City News Service, Orange County Register, 16 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for only
Dictionary Entries Near only
Cite this Entry
“Only.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/only. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
only
1 of 3 adjective
on·ly
ˈōn-lē 
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 adverb1
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
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