ONLY

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does only mean? 

• ONLY (adjective)
  The adjective ONLY has 2 senses:

1. being the only one; single and isolated from others

2. exclusive of anyone or anything else

  Familiarity information: ONLY used as an adjective is rare.

• ONLY (adverb)
  The adverb ONLY has 7 senses:

1. and nothing more

2. without any others being included or involved

3. with nevertheless the final result

4. in the final outcome

5. except that

6. never except when

7. as recently as

  Familiarity information: ONLY used as an adverb is common.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ONLY (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Being the only one; single and isolated from others

Synonyms:

lone; lonesome; only; sole; solitary

Context example:

a solitary speck in the sky

Similar:

single (existing alone or consisting of one entity or part or aspect or individual)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Exclusive of anyone or anything else

Synonyms:

alone; only

Context example:

I'll have this car and this car only

Similar:

exclusive (excluding much or all; especially all but a particular group or minority)

• ONLY (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

And nothing more

Synonyms:

but; just; merely; only; simply

Context example:

hopes that last but a moment

Sense 2

Meaning:

Without any others being included or involved

Synonyms:

alone; entirely; exclusively; only; solely

Context example:

a privilege granted only to him

Sense 3

Meaning:

With nevertheless the final result

Context example:

We won only to lose again in the next round

Sense 4

Meaning:

In the final outcome

Context example:

These news will only make you more upset

Sense 5

Meaning:

Except that

Context example:

It was the same story; only this time she came out better

Sense 6

Meaning:

Never except when

Synonyms:

only; only if; only when

Context example:

call me only if your cold gets worse

Sense 7

Meaning:

As recently as

Context example:

I spoke to him only an hour ago

 Context examples 

Also does he seek after the eggs of birds. He does not eat the eggs. All that is inside he takes out, and only does he keep the shell.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

He could only say that if I waited I should hear by post.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

At this sweeping rebuke, which the cook had only pointed, the rest of the crew became uninterested and fell to work at one task or another.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

They said that he thought only of himself.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

Then we lost them for half a mile, but only to pick them up once more quite close to Mapleton.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Well, every man had enemies, but Mr. Oldacre kept himself very much to himself, and only met people in the way of business.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

He saw only her head and shoulders, and her arms raised as she fixed her hair before a mirror.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

Only think what an establishment it would be for one of them.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

I don't offer to take it myself, for I should only get into another scrape if I did.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

"Nothin'," came the answer; "only there's seven of 'em again. I just counted."

(White Fang, by Jack London)