only
gb/ˈoʊnli/ us/ˈoʊnli/
A2
English
~ 400
Senses
0 senses
adverb
A2
relation
1
no more than; just
Used to say that there is no more than what you say.
Usage pattern:
only [quantity/amount/time]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'only' with 'just', but 'only' emphasizes limitation, while 'just' can also mean 'exactly' or 'recently'.
Synonyms
just (More informal; often interchangeable in everyday speech.)
Antonyms
more than (Indicates a greater amount or extent, opposite to limitation.)
Collocations
only one
|only two
|only yesterday
|only once
|only just
Themes
daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I only have five dollars left.
- It takes only ten minutes to walk there.
- 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.
- It is only five minutes away.
- She is only ten years old.
- I saw him only once.
- We have only two chairs.
adjective
A2
property
2
single; sole
The single one; no others like it.
Usage pattern:
the only [noun]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes place 'only' incorrectly before the wrong word in a sentence, changing the meaning.
Synonyms
sole (More formal; often used in legal or official contexts.)
Antonyms
multiple (Indicates more than one, opposite to single.)
Collocations
only child
|only option
|only way
|only reason
Themes
daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He is my only brother.
- This is the only chance we have.
- 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.
- This is the only bus to the city.
- He is my only friend here.
- That is the only answer I know.
- This is the only key for the door.
conjunction
B1
relation
3
but; except that
Used like 'but' to show a difference or problem with what was just said.
Usage pattern:
[statement], only [contrast/restriction]
Common mistake:
Learners may not recognize this as a conjunction and think it means 'just'.
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
Examples
- I would help you, only I’m busy right now.
- The cake looks delicious, only it’s too sweet for me.
- He said he’d come, only he never showed up.
Learner examples
- I want to go, only I am sick.
- She can drive, only she has no car.
- He likes coffee, only it makes him tired.
adverb
B1
property
4
barely; by a small amount
Almost not; by very little.
Usage pattern:
only [verb/amount]
Synonyms
barely (More direct in expressing minimal sufficiency.)
Antonyms
easily (Indicates something done without difficulty, opposite to barely.)
Collocations
only just survived
|only barely made it
Themes
daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- 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.
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!