noun
definition
An only child.
adjective
definition
Alone in a category.
example
He is the only doctor for miles.
definition
Singularly superior; the best.
definition
Without sibling; without a sibling of the same gender.
example
He is their only son, in fact, an only child.
definition
Mere.
adverb
definition
Without others or anything further; exclusively.
example
My heart is hers, and hers only.
definition
No more than; just.
example
If there were only one more ticket!
definition
As recently as.
example
He left only moments ago.
definition
Used to express surprise or consternation at an action.
example
She's only gone and run off with the milkman!
definition
Introduces a disappointing or surprising outcome that renders futile something previously mentioned. See also only to, only for.
example
I helped him out only for him to betray me.
definition
Above all others; particularly.
conjunction
definition
Under the condition that; but.
example
You're welcome to borrow my bicycle, only please take care of it.
definition
But; except.
example
I would enjoy running, only I have this broken leg.
Examples of only in a Sentence
I only wish there was a real horse here for me to race with.
We can only do so much.
Only Nick noticed her standing in the door.
He was only fourteen years old.
He ate only the plainest food.
I only hope it wasn't poison.
In despair she had dropped the subject for the time, only to renew it at the first opportunity.
I can only imagine how difficult this is for you.
It's the only way for him to become a vamp.
Look, I was only fooling around.
It's only a short hop.
She only brought one book from home.
It was only two thirty in the afternoon, but she didn't want to go back to sleep.
Sometimes that's the only way you can reach each other.
I am in the middle of it right now - only I don't know what I'm in the middle of.
School, which will begin tomorrow, is only a few days from summer recess.
If he had been the only child in the family, things might have been different.
If only she could forgive and forget the way they did.
I guess because the only one who should be looking at it is my husband.
The neighbors couldn't see into any of their windows, and they were far enough off the main road that the only traffic would be people coming to see them.
If only she could have one more chance.
If only there were some curtains on the windows and rugs on the floors.
We asked about buildings; there were none, only corn in the four fields separated by the cross roads.
You two are the only people I trust.
Nina wasn't the only one awaiting her arrival.
If only she could shout it to the world.
It's only five AM in California.
It's the truth only no one will come out and say it.
The only plus is it's near the hospital.
I was like that ship before my education began, only I was without compass or sounding-line, and had no way of knowing how near the harbour was.
Apparently it was the only thing that frightened him.
Only a sense it was summer because the corn was high.
He was the only one.
He only owned one suit.
It's only a matter of time before the hand of the law is laid upon us.
His only recollection is that you were as devastated over your sister as everyone else.
Only half are black and half nut cases.
It was strange being in Quinn's room although the only remnants of him were his machines.
We were alerted only by the feel of the screwdriver's slack penetration.
Maybe she thinks I'm the only thing keeping you from doing that.
While only three feet apart, the space felt immeasurable.
You may GO down, but you can only CLIMB up.
The boy was only four years old, and the girl was not yet six.
Christmas was only a few days away, and yet it didn't seem like Christmas.
If only she could conquer these mood shifts.
If only she could take Destiny's pain and fear.
Hers wasn't the only life that had nearly been taken today.
If only she could believe he wasn't involved in anything illegal.
But words never came to her lips, only long sobs.
She inclined her head to indicate the endless sand, broken only by an occasional yucca or chickweed.