| / English Dictionary |
ONLY
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Exclusive of anyone or anything else
Example:
I'll have this car and this car only
Synonyms:
alone; only
Classified under:
Similar:
exclusive (excluding much or all; especially all but a particular group or minority)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Being the only one; single and isolated from others
Example:
a solitary speck in the sky
Synonyms:
lone; lonesome; only; sole; solitary
Classified under:
Similar:
single (existing alone or consisting of one entity or part or aspect or individual)
II. (adverb)
Sense 1
Meaning:
And nothing more
Example:
hopes that last but a moment
Synonyms:
but; just; merely; only; simply
Classified under:
Sense 2
Meaning:
Without any others being included or involved
Example:
a privilege granted only to him
Synonyms:
alone; entirely; exclusively; only; solely
Classified under:
Sense 3
Meaning:
With nevertheless the final result
Example:
We won only to lose again in the next round
Classified under:
Adverbs
Sense 4
Meaning:
In the final outcome
Example:
These news will only make you more upset
Classified under:
Adverbs
Sense 5
Meaning:
As recently as
Example:
I spoke to him only an hour ago
Classified under:
Adverbs
Sense 6
Meaning:
Except that
Example:
It was the same story; only this time she came out better
Classified under:
Adverbs
Sense 7
Meaning:
Never except when
Example:
call me only if your cold gets worse
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Adverbs
Context examples:
It is only right, however, since Mr. Summerlee goes to check my statement that I should have one or more with him who may check his.
(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
But it was only for a moment.
(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)
“Are you only going to Yarmouth then?” I asked.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
So had the child’s family, which was only natural.
(The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson)
Now, we've only one man to rely on.
(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)
I was only too glad to get out of such a house.
(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
During all that time Henry was my only nurse.
(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)
Only once during those village years can I remember Champion Harrison showing me for an instant the sort of man that he had been.
(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
I have only once before seen such a body of a man.
(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
Toto only wagged his tail; for, strange to say, he could not speak.
(The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum)
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