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[ UK /ˈə‍ʊnli/ ]
[ US /ˈoʊnɫi/ ]

ADVERB

except that
It was the same story; only this time she came out better
as recently as
I spoke to him only an hour ago
and nothing more
it is simply a matter of time
hopes that last but a moment
I was merely asking
just a scratch
he was only a child
never except when
call me only if your cold gets worse
without any others being included or involved
the burden of proof rests on the prosecution alone
he works for Mr. Smith exclusively
a privilege granted only to him
a school devoted entirely to the needs of problem children
was entirely to blame
did it solely for money
with nevertheless the final result
We won only to lose again in the next round
He arrived only to find his wife dead
in the final outcome
These news will only make you more upset

ADJECTIVE

exclusive of anyone or anything else
I'll have this car and this car only
she alone believed him
cannot live by bread alone
being the only one; single and isolated from others
an only child
the sole example
a solitary speck in the sky
a lonesome pine
the lone doctor in the entire county
a solitary instance of cowardice
the sole heir

Top Definitions Examples

How To Use only In A Sentence

You think Spielberg would only have a rattletrap third-rate spaceship like the Millennium Falcon to ensure his survival? Does George Lucas think the world will end in 2012?
As a book about a nonoperational aircraft, Valkyrie will probably attract only a limited audience within the Air Force community.
The baby was born with a heart problem and only survived for a few hours.
Only a few minutes had gone when the Welshman flung in an inviting right-foot cross to the back post.
We cannot support all the shops we have already, so a few more very expensive units can only remain empty and unused.
The Huilloc men are only a little taller than their womenfolk, with broad chests, powerful shoulders and heavily muscled legs.
There are only a couple of days left in Graeme's Fantasy Book Review's Giveaway for one of three copies of Orson Scott Card's new release, Hidden Empire. Book Contest Links ... more than a few
Last night, a steady stream of people arrived at the evacuation centre in Brisbane's showground, only a few minutes' drive from the swollen river. Brisbane residents flee homes as floodwaters rise
It was only a couple of minutes after his toe-curling DJ'ing started that I gave up and turned over.
Chlorophyll is only one of several pigments found in plants, but it is by far the most important.

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