only meaning and definition

ONLY adjective

Definition of only (adjective)

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"
   • synonyms: lone, lonesome, 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"
   • synonyms: alone

ONLY adverb

Definition of only (adverb)

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"
   • synonyms: but, just, merely, simply
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"
   • synonyms: alone, entirely, exclusively, solely
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"
   • synonyms: only if, only when
7. as recently as
   • "I spoke to him only an hour ago"