solely
gb/sˈoʊəli/ us/sˈoʊəli/
B2
English
~ 6200
kizárólag
B2
FORMAL
1
kizárólag
B2
Usage pattern:
solely [for/because of/on/by] [something]; based solely on [something]
She is solely responsible for hiring new staff.
Kizárólag ő felel az új munkatársak felvételéért.
The decision was based solely on price, not on quality.
A döntés kizárólag az áron alapult, nem a minőségen.
This charity exists solely to support local families in need.
He acted solely out of fear, not out of anger.
The company trades solely online and has no physical stores.
Learner examples
He is solely to blame for the problem.
Kizárólag ő hibáztatható a problémáért.
The show is made solely for children.
A műsor kizárólag gyerekeknek készül.
They chose the hotel solely because it was cheap.
My choice was based solely on your advice.
This room is used solely for meetings.
Common mistake:
Learners often use *solely* where *only* is more natural in everyday speech (e.g., "I solely like coffee" sounds odd; "I only like coffee" is better). Another common mistake is using *solely* as an adjective (*a solely decision*), but it is an adverb and should modify verbs, adjectives, or whole clauses ("a solely financial decision" is also incorrect; say "a purely financial decision" or "a decision based solely on finances"). Word order can also cause problems: *solely* usually comes before the word or phrase it limits ("based solely on price", not "based on solely price").
Meaning
only; and not involving anything else
Collocations
solely responsible
|solely liable
|based solely on
|motivated solely by
|rely solely on
|solely for the purpose of
Synonyms
only (Most common everyday alternative; less formal in tone than "solely".)
|
exclusively (Very close in meaning, often used when stressing that other options are excluded.)
|
purely (Similar meaning but can also suggest a simple or non-mixed quality, not just absence of other people/things.)
Antonyms
partly (Shows that something is shared with other causes, people, or things, not done or caused by just one.)
Themes
daily life
|business
|law
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Only; not with anyone or anything else.
Used to say that something involves only one person, thing, factor, or reason, and no others.
Grammar
Dictionary form
solely
IPA
GB/sˈoʊəli/
US/sˈoʊəli/
Syllables & stress
solely (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (solely)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: solely
- Plural: solelies
Word family
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.