only (A1)

adverb

Pronunciation: /ˈoʊnli/

Definition

Solely; exclusively; no one or nothing more besides.

Examples

• She was the only person who understood the complex instructions.

• This store sells only organic produce.

• You can only enter the building with a valid ID card.

How to Use only

only a few (collocation)

A small number of something. — "Only a few students passed the difficult exam."

only just (collocation)

Barely; very recently. — "I only just managed to catch the train."

if only (idiom)

Used to express a wish or regret. — "If only I had studied harder for the test."

not only... but also (collocation)

Used to emphasize that something else is true or happens in addition to what has been mentioned. — "She is not only intelligent but also very kind."

Synonyms of only

Words with a similar meaning to only:

• just
• solely
• merely
• exclusively

Antonyms of only

Words with the opposite meaning to only:

• also
• together

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