on·ly ( n l )adj. 1. Alone in kind or class; sole: an only child; the only one left. 2. Standing alone by reason of superiority or excellence. adv. 1. Without anyone or anything else; alone: room for only one passenger. 2. a. At the very least: If you would only come home. The story was only too true. b. And nothing else or more: I only work here. 3. Exclusively; solely: facts known only to us. 4. a. In the last analysis or final outcome: actions that will only make things worse. b. With the final result; nevertheless: received a raise only to be laid off. 5. a. As recently as: called me only last month. b. In the immediate past: only just saw them. conj. 1. Were it not that; except. 2. a. With the restriction that; but: You may go, only be careful. b. However; and yet: The merchandise is well made, only we can't use it. [Middle English, from Old English  nl c : n, one; see one + -lc, having the form of; see -ly1.]Usage Note: When used as an adverb, only should be placed with care to avoid ambiguity. Generally this means having only adjoin the word or words that it limits. Variation in the placement of only can change the meaning of the sentence, as the following examples show: Dictators respect only force; they are not moved by words. Dictators only respect force; they do not worship it. She picked up the receiver only when he entered, not before. She only picked up the receiver when he entered; she didn't dial the number. Though strict grammarians insist that the rule for placement of only should always be followed, there are occasions when placement of only earlier in the sentence seems much more natural, and if the context is sufficiently clear, there is no chance of being misunderstood. In the following example only is placed according to the rule: The committee can make its decision by Friday of next week only if it receives a copy of the latest report. Placement of only earlier in the sentence, immediately after can, would warn the reader that a condition on the statement follows. See Usage Note at not. |
only [ˈəʊnlɪ]
adj (prenominal)
1. the. being single or very few in number the only men left in town were too old to bear arms
2. (of a child) having no siblings
3. unique by virtue of being superior to anything else; peerless
one and only
a. (adjective) incomparable; unique
b. (as noun) the object of all one's love you are my one and only
adv
1. without anyone or anything else being included; alone you have one choice only only a genius can do that
2. merely or just it's only Henry
3. no more or no greater than we met only an hour ago
4. Irish (intensifier) she was only marvellous it was only dreadful
5. used in conditional clauses introduced by if to emphasize the impossibility of the condition ever being fulfilled if I had only known, this would never have happened
6. not earlier than; not…until I only found out yesterday
if only or if…only an expression used to introduce a wish, esp one felt to be unrealizable
only if never…except when
only too
a. (intensifier) he was only too pleased to help
b. most regrettably (esp in the phrase only too true)
sentence connector
but; however: used to introduce an exception or condition play outside: only don't go into the street
[Old English ānlīc, from ān one + -līc -ly2]
Usage: In informal English, only is often used as a sentence connector: I would have phoned you, only I didn't know your number. This use should be avoided in formal writing: I would have phoned you if I'd known your number. In formal speech and writing, only is placed directly before the word or words that it modifies: she could interview only three applicants in the morning. In all but the most formal contexts, however, it is generally regarded as acceptable to put only before the verb: she could only interview three applicants in the morning. Care must be taken not to create ambiguity, esp in written English, in which intonation will not, as it does in speech, help to show to which item in the sentence only applies. A sentence such as she only drinks tea in the afternoon is capable of two interpretations and is therefore better rephrased either as she drinks only tea in the afternoon (i.e. no other drink) or she drinks tea only in the afternoon (i.e. at no other time)
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Adj. | 1. | only - 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" single - existing alone or consisting of one entity or part or aspect or individual; "upon the hill stood a single tower"; "had but a single thought which was to escape"; "a single survivor"; "a single serving"; "a single lens"; "a single thickness" |
| 2. | only - exclusive of anyone or anything else; "she alone believed him"; "cannot live by bread alone"; "I'll have this car and this car only" exclusive - excluding much or all; especially all but a particular group or minority; "exclusive clubs"; "an exclusive restaurants and shops" | |
| Adv. | 1. | only - 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" |
| 2. | only - 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" | |
| 3. | only - with nevertheless the final result; "He arrived only to find his wife dead"; "We won only to lose again in the next round" | |
| 4. | only - in the final outcome; "These news will only make you more upset" | |
| 5. | only - except that; "It was the same story; only this time she came out better" | |
| 6. | only - never except when; "call me only if your cold gets worse" | |
| 7. | only - as recently as; "I spoke to him only an hour ago" |
only
adjective
sole, one, single, individual, exclusive, unique, lone, solitary, one and only She was the only applicant for the job.
adverb
1. just, simply, purely, merely, no more than, nothing but, but, at most, at a push At the moment it's only a theory.
2. hardly, just, barely, only just, scarcely, at most, at a push I only have enough money for one ticket.
3. exclusively, entirely, purely, solely Computers are only for use by class members.
Translations
only [ˈəʊnlɪ]
A. ADJ → único
your only hope is to hide → la única posibilidad que te queda es esconderte
it's the only one left → es el único que queda
"I'm tired" - "you're not the only one!" → -estoy cansado -¡no eres el único!
the only thing I don't like about it is → lo único que no me gusta de esto es ...
see also pebble
your only hope is to hide → la única posibilidad que te queda es esconderte
it's the only one left → es el único que queda
"I'm tired" - "you're not the only one!" → -estoy cansado -¡no eres el único!
the only thing I don't like about it is → lo único que no me gusta de esto es ...
see also pebble
B. ADV
1. (= no more than) → sólo, solamente
he's only ten → sólo or solamente tiene diez años
we only have five → sólo or solamente tenemos cinco
what, only five? → ¿cómo, cinco nada más? → ¿cómo, sólo or solamente cinco?
he's only ten → sólo or solamente tiene diez años
we only have five → sólo or solamente tenemos cinco
what, only five? → ¿cómo, cinco nada más? → ¿cómo, sólo or solamente cinco?
2. (= merely) I'm only the porter → no soy más que el portero
I'm only a porter → soy un simple portero
I only touched it → no hice más que tocarlo
it's only to be expected → cabe de esperar
he raced onto the platform only to find the train pulling out → llegó corriendo al andén para encontrarse con que el tren estaba saliendo
you only have to ask, you have only to ask → no tienes más que pedirlo, sólo tienes que pedirlo
it's only fair to tell him → lo mínimo que puedes hacer es decírselo
I was only joking → lo he dicho en broma
that only makes matters worse → eso sólo empeora las cosas
I will only say that → diré solamente que ..., sólo diré que ...
I only wish he were here now → ojalá estuviese ahora aquí
I'm only a porter → soy un simple portero
I only touched it → no hice más que tocarlo
it's only to be expected → cabe de esperar
he raced onto the platform only to find the train pulling out → llegó corriendo al andén para encontrarse con que el tren estaba saliendo
you only have to ask, you have only to ask → no tienes más que pedirlo, sólo tienes que pedirlo
it's only fair to tell him → lo mínimo que puedes hacer es decírselo
I was only joking → lo he dicho en broma
that only makes matters worse → eso sólo empeora las cosas
I will only say that → diré solamente que ..., sólo diré que ...
I only wish he were here now → ojalá estuviese ahora aquí
3. (= exclusively) → sólo
a ticket for one person only → un billete para una persona sólo
"members only" → sólo socios
God only knows! → ¡Dios sabe!
only time will tell → sólo el tiempo puede decirlo
a women-only therapy group → un grupo de terapia sólo para mujeres
a ticket for one person only → un billete para una persona sólo
"members only" → sólo socios
God only knows! → ¡Dios sabe!
only time will tell → sólo el tiempo puede decirlo
a women-only therapy group → un grupo de terapia sólo para mujeres
5. (= no longer ago than) I saw her only yesterday → ayer mismo la vi, la vi ayer nomás(LAm), recién ayer la vi(LAm)
it seems like only yesterday that → parece que fue ayer cuando ...
it seems like only yesterday that → parece que fue ayer cuando ...
6. (in phrases)
only just the hole was only just big enough → el agujero era lo justo
I've only just arrived → acabo de llegar ahora mismo, no he hecho más que llegar
it fits him, but only just → le cabe pero le queda muy justo
not only ... but also not only was he late but he also forgot the tickets → no sólo llegó tarde sino que además olvidó las entradas
a machine that is not only efficient but looks good as well → una máquina que no sólo es eficaz sino también atractiva
only too I'd be only too pleased to help → estaría encantado de or me encantaría poder ayudar(les)
it is only too true → por desgracia es verdad or cierto
I knew only too well what would happen → sabía demasiado bien lo que iba a pasar
see also if A5
only just the hole was only just big enough → el agujero era lo justo
I've only just arrived → acabo de llegar ahora mismo, no he hecho más que llegar
it fits him, but only just → le cabe pero le queda muy justo
not only ... but also not only was he late but he also forgot the tickets → no sólo llegó tarde sino que además olvidó las entradas
a machine that is not only efficient but looks good as well → una máquina que no sólo es eficaz sino también atractiva
only too I'd be only too pleased to help → estaría encantado de or me encantaría poder ayudar(les)
it is only too true → por desgracia es verdad or cierto
I knew only too well what would happen → sabía demasiado bien lo que iba a pasar
see also if A5
only [ˈəʊnli]
adj → seul(e)
Monday is the only day I'm free → Lundi est le seul jour où je suis libre.
French is the only subject I like → Le français est la seule matière que j'aime.
the only one (= person) → le seul or la seule
I was the only one smoking → J'étais le seul à fumer.
the only one of us → le seul d'entre nous (= thing) → le seul or la seule
Monday is the only day I'm free → Lundi est le seul jour où je suis libre.
French is the only subject I like → Le français est la seule matière que j'aime.
the only one (= person) → le seul or la seule
I was the only one smoking → J'étais le seul à fumer.
the only one of us → le seul d'entre nous (= thing) → le seul or la seule
adv
(= just) (with number) → seulement
How much was it? - Only 10 euros → Combien c'était? - Seulement dix euros.
I only took one
BUT Je n'en ai pris qu'un.
these are only some of ... → ce ne sont que quelques uns des ...
How much was it? - Only 10 euros → Combien c'était? - Seulement dix euros.
I only took one
BUT Je n'en ai pris qu'un.
these are only some of ... → ce ne sont que quelques uns des ...
(in verb clauses) → ne ... que
We only want to stay for one night → Nous ne voulons rester qu'une nuit.
These cassettes are only 5 euros → Ces cassettes ne coûtent que cinq euros.
He's only a boy → Ce n'est qu'un enfant.
I was only joking → je plaisantais
We only want to stay for one night → Nous ne voulons rester qu'une nuit.
These cassettes are only 5 euros → Ces cassettes ne coûtent que cinq euros.
He's only a boy → Ce n'est qu'un enfant.
I was only joking → je plaisantais
(= exclusively) → ne ... que
He read only paperbacks → Il ne lit que des livres de poche.
only if → seulement si
He read only paperbacks → Il ne lit que des livres de poche.
only if → seulement si
(recent time)
I saw her only last week → Je l'ai vue pas plus tard que la semaine dernière.
I saw her only yesterday → Je l'ai vue pas plus tard qu'hier.
I remember it as if it was only yesterday → Je m'en souviens comme si c'était hier.
only just (= very recently) → tout juste
I've only just arrived → Je viens tout juste d'arriver.
I saw her only last week → Je l'ai vue pas plus tard que la semaine dernière.
I saw her only yesterday → Je l'ai vue pas plus tard qu'hier.
I remember it as if it was only yesterday → Je m'en souviens comme si c'était hier.
only just (= very recently) → tout juste
I've only just arrived → Je viens tout juste d'arriver.
only just (= barely) → tout juste
Farmers have only just managed to survive → Les agriculteurs ont tout juste réussi à survivre.
Farmers have only just managed to survive → Les agriculteurs ont tout juste réussi à survivre.
conj
(= it's just that) → seulement
I would come, only I'm very busy → Je viendrais bien, seulement j'ai beaucoup à faire.
I meant to tell you, only I forgot → Je voulais vous le dire, seulement j'ai oublié.
I would come, only I'm very busy → Je viendrais bien, seulement j'ai beaucoup à faire.
I meant to tell you, only I forgot → Je voulais vous le dire, seulement j'ai oublié.
only
adj attr → einzige(r, s); he’s an/my only child → er ist ein Einzelkind nt → /mein einziges Kind; the only one or person → der/die Einzige; the only ones or people → die Einzigen; he was the only one to leave or who left → er ist als Einziger gegangen; the only thing → das Einzige; the only thing I could suggest would be to invite him too → ich könnte höchstens vorschlagen, dass wir etc ihn auch einladen; that’s the only thing for it/the only thing to do → das ist die einzige Möglichkeit; the only thing I have against it is that … → ich habe nur eins dagegen einzuwenden, nämlich, dass …; the only thing or problem is … → nur …; the only thing is (that) it’s too late → es ist bloß or nur schon zu spät; my only wish/regret → das einzige, was ich mir wünsche/was ich bedaure; the only real problem → das einzig wirkliche Problem; her only answer was a grin or to grin → ihre Antwort bestand nur aus einem Grinsen ? one ADJ d
adv
→ nur; it’s only five o’clock → es ist erst fünf Uhr; only yesterday/last week → erst gestern/letzte Woche; she’s only young → sie ist noch jung; I only hope he gets here in time → ich hoffe nur, dass es noch rechtzeitig hier eintrifft; I only wanted to be with you → ich wollte nur mit dir zusammen sein; you only have to ask → Sie brauchen nur zu fragen; I wanted only to be with you (esp liter) → ich wollte weiter nichts, als mit dir zusammen zu sein; “members only” → „(Zutritt) nur für Mitglieder“; only think of it! → stellen Sie sich das nur (mal) vor!; only to think of it made him ill → der bloße Gedanke or schon der Gedanke daran machte ihn krank
(in constructions) only too true/easy etc → nur (all)zu wahr/leicht etc; I’d be only too pleased to help → ich würde nur zu gerne helfen; if only that hadn’t happened → wenn das bloß or nur nicht passiert wäre; we only just caught the train → wir haben den Zug gerade noch gekriegt; he has only just arrived → er ist gerade erst angekommen; I’ve only just got enough → ich habe gerade genug; not only … but also … → nicht nur …, sondern auch …
only [ˈəʊnlɪ]
only [ˈəʊnlɪ]
1. adj → solo/a, unico/a
it's the only one left → è l'unico rimasto
your only hope is to hide → la tua unica speranza sta nel nasconderti
you are the only one who can help us → sei l'unico che possa or che può aiutarci
you are not the only one → non sei l'unico
an only child → un(a) figlio/a unico/a
the only thing I don't like about it is ... → l'unica cosa che non mi va è...
it's the only one left → è l'unico rimasto
your only hope is to hide → la tua unica speranza sta nel nasconderti
you are the only one who can help us → sei l'unico che possa or che può aiutarci
you are not the only one → non sei l'unico
an only child → un(a) figlio/a unico/a
the only thing I don't like about it is ... → l'unica cosa che non mi va è...
2. adv → solo, soltanto, solamente
we have only five → ne abbiamo solo cinque
only one choice → una sola possibilità, un'unica scelta
only time will tell → chi vivrà vedrà
I'm only the porter → io sono solo il portinaio
I only touched it → l'ho soltanto toccato
I only took one → ne ho preso soltanto uno
only when I ... → solo quando io...
not only A but also B → non solo A ma anche B
I saw her only yesterday → l'ho vista appena ieri
we can only hope → non possiamo far altro che sperare
I'd be only too pleased to help → sarei proprio felice di essere d'aiuto
it's only too true → è proprio vero
we have only five → ne abbiamo solo cinque
only one choice → una sola possibilità, un'unica scelta
only time will tell → chi vivrà vedrà
I'm only the porter → io sono solo il portinaio
I only touched it → l'ho soltanto toccato
I only took one → ne ho preso soltanto uno
only when I ... → solo quando io...
not only A but also B → non solo A ma anche B
I saw her only yesterday → l'ho vista appena ieri
we can only hope → non possiamo far altro che sperare
I'd be only too pleased to help → sarei proprio felice di essere d'aiuto
it's only too true → è proprio vero
3. conj → solo che, ma (purtroppo)
I would come, only I'm very busy → verrei volentieri, solo che sono molto occupato
I would come, only I'm very busy → verrei volentieri, solo che sono molto occupato
only [ˈəʊnlɪ]
1. adj → solo/a, unico/a
it's the only one left → è l'unico rimasto
your only hope is to hide → la tua unica speranza sta nel nasconderti
you are the only one who can help us → sei l'unico che possa or che può aiutarci
you are not the only one → non sei l'unico
an only child → un(a) figlio/a unico/a
the only thing I don't like about it is ... → l'unica cosa che non mi va è...
it's the only one left → è l'unico rimasto
your only hope is to hide → la tua unica speranza sta nel nasconderti
you are the only one who can help us → sei l'unico che possa or che può aiutarci
you are not the only one → non sei l'unico
an only child → un(a) figlio/a unico/a
the only thing I don't like about it is ... → l'unica cosa che non mi va è...
2. adv → solo, soltanto, solamente
we have only five → ne abbiamo solo cinque
only one choice → una sola possibilità, un'unica scelta
only time will tell → chi vivrà vedrà
I'm only the porter → io sono solo il portinaio
I only touched it → l'ho soltanto toccato
I only took one → ne ho preso soltanto uno
only when I ... → solo quando io...
not only A but also B → non solo A ma anche B
I saw her only yesterday → l'ho vista appena ieri
we can only hope → non possiamo far altro che sperare
I'd be only too pleased to help → sarei proprio felice di essere d'aiuto
it's only too true → è proprio vero
we have only five → ne abbiamo solo cinque
only one choice → una sola possibilità, un'unica scelta
only time will tell → chi vivrà vedrà
I'm only the porter → io sono solo il portinaio
I only touched it → l'ho soltanto toccato
I only took one → ne ho preso soltanto uno
only when I ... → solo quando io...
not only A but also B → non solo A ma anche B
I saw her only yesterday → l'ho vista appena ieri
we can only hope → non possiamo far altro che sperare
I'd be only too pleased to help → sarei proprio felice di essere d'aiuto
it's only too true → è proprio vero
3. conj → solo che, ma (purtroppo)
I would come, only I'm very busy → verrei volentieri, solo che sono molto occupato
I would come, only I'm very busy → verrei volentieri, solo che sono molto occupato
adj only [ˈəunli]
without any others of the same type He has no brothers or sisters – he's an only child; the only book of its kind. enigste وَحيد единствен jediný ene-; eneste einzig μόνος, μοναχός, μοναδικός único ainus تنها ainoa unique, seul יָחִיד केवल, अकेला sam, jedini egyetlen satu-satunya einka-; eini, hinn eini solo, unico 唯一の 유일한 vienintelis vienīgais tunggal enig ene-, eneste jedyny único singur; unic единственный jediný edini jedinac enda ที่เป็นลูกโทน tek, biricik 唯一的 тільки, лише صرف، فقط chỉ 唯一的
adv
1 not more than We have only two cups left; He lives only a mile away. net, slegs فَقَط само jenom kun nur μόνο, όχι περισσότερο από sólo, solamente vaid فقط vain ne...que, seulement רַק सिर्फ samo csak hanya aðeins solo, solamente たった 단지 tik tikai hanya (alleen) maar bare, kun, akkurat tylko apenas doar только len samo samo bara, endast เพียงแค่ sadece, yalnız 僅僅 тільки, лише اس سے زيادہ نہيں duy nhất 仅仅
2 alone Only you can do it. net, slegs, alleen فَقَط само jen kun; bare nur μόνο sólo, solamente, únicamente üksnes تنها yksin seul רַק केवल, मात्र samo, jedino egyedül hanya aðeins þú einn solo ～だけ 오직 tiktai vienīgi hanya alleen bare, (du) alene jedynie só numai, doar единственно len edino samo bara, endast เท่านั้น sadece, yalnız 唯有 тільки, лише تنہا một mình 唯有
3 showing the one action done, in contrast to other possibilities I only scolded the child – I did not smack him. net, slegs فَقَط само pouze kun nur μόνο, απλά sólo ei ... muud kui ... فقط vain seulement אַך וְרַק सिर्फ़ samo, jedino csupán hanya bara solamente, soltanto ただ～だけ 오직 ...하기만 tik tikai cuma alleen bare, utelukkende tylko, jedynie só doar всего лишь len samo samo bara เท่านั้น sadece, yalnızca 隻 тільки, лише فقط đáng xét nhất 只
4 not longer ago than I saw him only yesterday. pas ليس أبعد من، فَقَط едва až, teprve så sent som erst μόλις sólo alles همین vasta pas plus tard que רַק केवल, सिर्फ़ tek csupán baru ekki lengra síðan en, síðast í solamente ばかり 불과 dar vēl baru nog pas så sent som, ikke lenger siden enn dopiero só nu mai demult de лишь iba šele, komaj baš så sent som เพิ่งจะ daha 才 тільки, лише ابھي، زيادہ پہلے نہيں chỉ mới 才
5 showing the one possible result of an action If you do that, you'll only make him angry. net, slegs فَقَط: تُظْهِر النَّتيجَه само pouze kun; bare nur απλά (για το ενδεχόμενο αποτέλεσμα μιας ενέργειας) sólo, solamente, únicamente ainult فقط vain seulement רַק केवल इतना, बस यही samo, jedino csak hanya bara, aðeins soltanto だけ 오히려 …할 뿐 tik vienīgi; tikai hanya alleen maar bare tylko só numai только iba samo samo bara แต่ว่า sadece, yalnızca 只能 тільки, лише بس صرف chắc chắn sẽ 只能
conj
except that, but I'd like to go, only I have to work. maar لكن но jenže men aber αλλά, μόνο που pero aga اما؛ ولی paitsi että mais אֶלָא ש- सिवाय इसके osim što, jedino azonban, de tetapi nema að, en ma, solo che だが …을 제외하고는 bet bet, tikai tetapi alleen men...bare tyle, że mas doar că но, только; если бы не ale samo samo što men, det är bara det att แต่ ama, ne yapayım ki, ne çare ki 不過 але, тільки الا يہ کہ nhưng 不过
only too
very I'll be only too pleased to come. alte جداً много velice meget sehr πολύ muy vägagi بسیار hyvin que trop מְאוֹד बहुत अधिक jako, veoma nagyon is sangat mjög proprio, molto とても 매우 labai, nepaprastai ļoti sangat maar al te bare så altfor (glad), meget niezmiernie muito foarte очень veľmi zelo veoma väldigt มาก çok, pek çok 實在，非常 дуже بہت rất 实在，非常
only → الأفضل, فقط jediný, pouze eneste, kun einziger, nur μοναδικός, μόνο sólo, único ainoa, vain seul, seulement jedini, samo solamente, solo 単に, 唯一の 다만 …뿐, 유일한 enig, slechts bare jedyny, tylko somente, único единственный, только bara, enda เท่านั้น, เพียงเท่านั้น tek, yalnızca chỉ, duy nhất 仅仅, 唯一的
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