Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
only
I. on‧ly1 S1 W1 /ˈəʊnli $ ˈoʊn-/ adverb
1. not more than a particular number, age etc:
Naomi was only 17 when she got married.
There are only a few cars on the island.
It’s only eight o'clock.
2. used to say that something or someone is not very important, serious etc:
It was only a joke.
It’s an interesting job, but it’s only temporary.
They’re only small cuts, nothing life-threatening.
3. nothing or no one except a particular person or thing:
Only the president can authorize a nuclear attack.
We use only the best ingredients.
women/men/residents etc only
The car park is for staff only.
4. used to say that something happens or is possible in one particular situation or place and no others, or for one particular reason:
I’ll tell you, but only if you don’t tell anyone else.
I ate the food, but only because I was starving.
The transfer takes place only when the data is complete.
GRAMMAR
You can put a phrase or clause beginning with only first, to emphasize it. You put the subject after an auxiliary in the main clause:
▪ Only in London did I find a purpose in life.
▪ Only by changing themselves can organizations continue to succeed.
5. no earlier than a particular time
only yesterday/last week/recently
‘When did you email her?’ ‘Only yesterday.’
only then did/would/could etc somebody do something (=at that moment and not before)
Only then did she tell him about the attack.
6. only just British English
a) a very short time ago:
She’s only just got up.
b) almost not SYN barely:
I only just finished my essay in time.
7. can only hope/wait etc used to say that it is not possible to do more than hope etc:
We can only hope it won’t rain on the day.
8. I can only think/suppose/assume (that) spoken used when you are giving a reason for something, to say that you do not know something for certain but think that this is the only possible reason:
I can only assume that it was a mistake.
9. I only wish/hope spoken used to express a strong wish or hope:
‘What’s happening?’ ‘I only wish I knew.’
10. if only spoken used to express a strong wish:
If only he’d call!
11. you’ll only spoken used to tell someone that what they want to do will have a bad effect:
Don’t interfere – you’ll only make things worse.
12. you only have to read/look at/listen to etc something spoken used to say that it is easy to know that something is true because you can see or hear things that prove it:
You only have to look at the statistics to see that things are getting worse.
13. only to used to say that someone did something, with a disappointing or surprising result:
I arrived only to find that the others had already left.
14. only too very:
Prices have risen sharply, as we know only too well.
Mark was only too happy to agree with her.
⇒ not only ... but (also) at not(4), ⇒ only have eyes for somebody at eye1(32), ⇒ for sb’s eyes only at eye1(25)
II. only2 S1 W1 adjective [only before noun]
[Language: Old English; Origin: anlic, from an; ⇒ one3]
1. used to say that there is one person, thing, or group in a particular situation and no others:
I was the only woman there.
He is our only child.
I was the only one who disagreed.
Cutting costs is the only solution.
She’s the only person for this job.
2. the only thing/problem is ... spoken used when you are going to mention a problem or disadvantage:
I could take you. The only thing is Dan might need the car.
3. an only child a child who has no brothers or sisters ⇒ the one and only at one4(2), ⇒ (only) time will tell at time1(36)
III. only3 conjunction spoken
used like ‘but’ to give the reason why something is not possible SYN except (that):
I’d offer to help, only I’m really busy just now.
Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
only
only adjective, adverb, conjunction [ˈəʊnli] [ˈoʊnli]
adjective only before noun
1. used to say that no other or others of the same group exist or are there
• She's their only daughter.
• We were the only people there.
• His only answer was a grunt.
2. used to say that sb/sth is the best and you would not choose any other
• She's the only person for the job.
more at in name only at name n., one and only at one det.
Word Origin:
Old English ānlic (adjective) (see one, -ly).
Idioms: not only … but … ▪ only just ▪ only thing is … ▪ only too … ▪ you're only young once
adverb
1. nobody or nothing except
• There are only a limited number of tickets available.
• The bar is for members only.
• You only have to look at her to see she doesn't eat enough.
• Only five people turned up.
2. in no other situation, place, etc
• I agreed, but only because I was frightened.
• Children are admitted only if accompanied by an adult. In formal written English only, or only if and its clause, can be placed first in the sentence. In the second part of the sentence, be, do, have, etc. come before the subject and the main part of the verb
• Only in Paris do you find bars like this.
• Only if these conditions are fulfilled can the application proceed to the next stage.
3. no more important, interesting, serious, etc. than
• It was only a suggestion.
• Don't blame me, I'm only the messenger!
• He was only teasing you.
4. no more than; no longer than
• She's only 21 and she runs her own business.
• It only took a few seconds.
• It took only a few seconds.
5. not until
• We only got here yesterday.
• (formal) Only then did she realize the stress he was under. When only begins a sentence be, do, have, etc. come before the subject and the main part of the verb.
6. used to say that sb can do no more than what is mentioned, although this is probably not enough
• We can only guess what happened.
• He could only watch helplessly as the car plunged into the ravine.
• I only hope that she never finds out.
7. used to say that sth will have a bad effect
• If you do that, it will only make matters worse.
• Trying to reason with him only enrages him even more.
8. ~ to do sth used to mention sth that happens immediately afterwards, especially sth that causes surprise, disappointment, etc.
• She turned up the driveway, only to find her way blocked.
more at only have eyes for/have eyes only for sb at eye n., if only at if conj.
Word Origin:
Old English ānlic (adjective) (see one, -ly).
Language Bank:
addition
Adding another item
▪ Bilingual children do better in IQ tests than children who speak only one language. In addition ▪ / What is more ▪, they seem to find it easier to learn third or even fourth languages.
▪ Learning another language not only ▪ improves children's job prospects in later life, but also ▪ boosts their self-esteem.
▪ Teaching children a second language improves their job prospects in later life. Other ▪ benefits include ▪ increased self-esteem and greater tolerance of other cultures.
Another ▪ / One further ▪ / One additional ▪ reason for encouraging bilingual education is that it boosts children's self-esteem.
▪ Studies suggest that bilingual children find it easier to learn additional languages. There is, moreover ▪, increasing evidence that bilingual children perform better across a range of school subjects, not just foreign languages.
▪ His claim that children find bilingual education confusing is based on very little evidence. Moreover ▪, the evidence he does provide is seriously flawed.
▪ Research has shown that first-language development is not impeded by exposure to a second language. Furthermore ▪, there is no evidence to support the claim that children find bilingual education confusing.
conjunction (informal)
except that; but
• I'd love to come, only I have to work.
• It tastes like chicken, only stronger.
Word Origin:
[only] Old English ānlic (adjective) (see one, -ly).
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary
only
only (BUT) /ˈəʊn.li/ US /ˈoʊn-/
conjunction
used to show what is the single or main reason why something mentioned in the first part of the sentence cannot be performed or is not completely true:
I'd invite Frances to the party, only (= but I will not because) I don't want her husband to come.
I'd phone him myself, only (= but I cannot because) I've got to go out.
I'd be happy to do it for you, only (= but) don't expect it to be done before next week.
This fabric is similar to wool, only (= except that it is) cheaper.
only (LIMIT) /ˈəʊn.li/ US /ˈoʊn-/
adverb
1 used to show that something is limited to the people, things, amount or activity stated:
At present these televisions are only available in Japan.
Only Sue and Mark bothered to turn up for the meeting.
This club is for members only.
Only an idiot would do that.
These shoes only cost £20.
Don't worry - it's only a scratch.
I was only joking.
I was only trying to help.
I only arrived half an hour ago.
She spoke to me only (= no more than) a few minutes ago on the phone.
It's only four o'clock and (= It is surprising that it is no later than four o'clock because) it's already getting dark.
"Who's there?" "It's only me (= it is not someone you should worry about). I've locked myself out."
It's only natural that you should worry about your children.
2 used to express regret about something that cannot happen when explaining why it cannot happen:
I'd love to go to Australia. I only wish I could afford to.
3 used when saying that something unpleasant will happen as a result of an action or a failure to act:
If you don't do something about it now it will only get worse.
4 INFORMAL used to show that you think someone has done something foolish:
She's only locked herself out of her flat again!
only (SINGLE OR FEW) /ˈəʊn.li/ US /ˈoʊn-/
adjective [before noun]
used to show that there is a single one or very few of something, or that there are no others:
I was the only person on the train.
Is this really the only way to do it?
The only thing that matters is that the baby is healthy.
It was the only thing I could do under the circumstances.
Rita was the only person to complain.