only
gb/ˈoʊnli/ us/ˈoʊnli/
A2
English
~ 400
csak, mindössze, egyetlen, csakhogy, épphogy, alig
A2
1
Usage pattern:
only [quantity/amount/time]
I only have five dollars left.
Csak öt dollárom maradt.
It takes only ten minutes to walk there.
Gyalog csak tíz perc odaérni.
She’s only sixteen, but very talented.
We arrived only yesterday.
This offer is only valid for a week.
Learner examples
I only have one pen.
Csak egy tollam van.
It is only five minutes away.
Csak öt percre van innen.
She is only ten years old.
I saw him only once.
We have only two chairs.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'only' with 'just', but 'only' emphasizes limitation, while 'just' can also mean 'exactly' or 'recently'.
Meaning
no more than; just
Collocations
only one
|only two
|only yesterday
|only once
|only just
Synonyms
just (More informal; often interchangeable in everyday speech.)
Antonyms
more than (Indicates a greater amount or extent, opposite to limitation.)
Themes
daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Used to say that there is no more than what you say.
Used to indicate that there is no more or nothing else except what is mentioned.
A2
2
egyetlen
A2
Usage pattern:
the only [noun]
He is my only brother.
Ő az egyetlen fiútestvérem.
This is the only chance we have.
Ez az egyetlen esélyünk.
She was the only person in the room.
It’s the only way to solve the problem.
That’s my only concern.
Learner examples
I am an only child.
Egyke vagyok.
This is the only bus to the city.
Ez az egyetlen busz, amelyik a városba megy.
He is my only friend here.
That is the only answer I know.
This is the only key for the door.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes place 'only' incorrectly before the wrong word in a sentence, changing the meaning.
Meaning
single; sole
Collocations
only child
|only option
|only way
|only reason
Synonyms
sole (More formal; often used in legal or official contexts.)
Antonyms
multiple (Indicates more than one, opposite to single.)
Themes
daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The single one; no others like it.
Being the single one of its kind; without any others of the same type.
B1
3
Usage pattern:
[statement], only [contrast/restriction]
I would help you, only I’m busy right now.
Segítenék, csak most épp elfoglalt vagyok.
The cake looks delicious, only it’s too sweet for me.
A torta finomnak néz ki, csak nekem túl édes.
He said he’d come, only he never showed up.
Learner examples
I want to go, only I am sick.
Szeretnék menni, csak beteg vagyok.
She can drive, only she has no car.
Tud vezetni, csak nincs autója.
He likes coffee, only it makes him tired.
Common mistake:
Learners may not recognize this as a conjunction and think it means 'just'.
Meaning
but; except that
Synonyms
but (Direct synonym in many cases, but 'only' adds a limiting nuance.)
Antonyms
and (Connects without contrast, opposite to introducing a restriction.)
Themes
communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Used like 'but' to show a difference or problem with what was just said.
Used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or limits what was just said.
B1
4
Usage pattern:
only [verb/amount]
We only just caught the train.
She only passed the exam by two points.
They only survived thanks to quick help.
Learner examples
I only passed the test.
We only got there on time.
He only won by one point.
Meaning
barely; by a small amount
Collocations
only just survived
|only barely made it
Synonyms
barely (More direct in expressing minimal sufficiency.)
Antonyms
easily (Indicates something done without difficulty, opposite to barely.)
Themes
daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Almost not; by very little.
By a narrow margin; almost not at all.
Grammar
Dictionary form
only
IPA
GB/ˈoʊnli/
US/ˈoʊnli/
Syllables & stress
only (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (only)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: only
Word family
Related words
lone
adjective B2
loneliness
noun B1
Expressions
if and only if
1/ˈɪf ˈænd ˈoʊnli ˈɪf/
fixed phrase
technical
exact condition requirement in logic/math
Means something is true in one situation and no other; used in math and logic.
Examples
- The statement holds if and only if x > 0.
- You can enter if and only if your name is on the list.
not only ... but also ...
1/nˈɑt ˈoʊnli | bˈʌt ˈɔlsoʊ |/
fixed phrase
emphasizing two related facts
Used to say that two things are true, with focus on both of them.
Examples
- She’s not only smart but also very kind.
- The movie was not only exciting but also funny.
only just
1/ˈoʊnli d͡ʒˈʌst/
fixed phrase
recently or barely happened
Means something happened very recently or almost did not happen.
Examples
- I only just arrived before the meeting started.
- He only just escaped in time.
if only
1/ˈɪf ˈoʊnli/
fixed phrase
expressing an unreal wish
Used to say you wish something were true or had happened.
Examples
- If only I had studied harder for the test.
- If only it would stop raining.
if only
2/ˈɪf ˈoʊnli/
fixed phrase
expresses regret or wish
Used to say you wish something was true or had happened.
Examples
- If only I had studied harder, I would have passed the test.
- If only it would stop raining!