Only — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective adverb conjunction /ˈōn-lē/ on·ly

Meaning & Definition of Only

Only (adjective)

  1. unquestionably the best, peerless
  2. alone in a class or category, sole
  3. having no brother or sister

Only (adverb)

  1. as a single fact or instance and nothing more or different, merely
  2. solely, exclusively
  3. at the very least

Only (conjunction)

  1. with the restriction that, but
  2. and yet, however
  3. were it not that, except

Only (adverb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. for nothing other than

    "you're doing that only to annoy me"

    similar: alone, exclusively, just, purely, simply, solely
    related: basically, by and large, chiefly, generally, largely, mainly, mostly, predominantly, primarily, principally, substantially
    near: additionally, also, besides, likewise

  2. not long ago

    "we won the election only six days ago"

    similar: freshly, just, late, lately, new, newly, now, recently, of late
    related: latterly
    opposite: anciently
    near: ago, before, earlier, early, erstwhile, formerly, previously, heretofore, hitherto

  3. nothing more than

    "I was only fooling when I said I saw a shark in the water"

    similar: but, just, merely, purely, simply

Only (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. having no equal or rival for excellence or desirability

    "the only way to really appreciate the beauty of the forest is to walk through it"

    similar: incomparable, inimitable, matchless, nonpareil, peerless, unequaled, unexampled, unmatched, unparalleled, unrivaled, unsurpassable, unsurpassed, out of sight
    related: alone, singular, unique, exceptional, extraordinary, rare, uncommon, unusual, A-OK, A1, awesome, bang-up, banner, beautiful, blue-chip, boffo, bonny (chiefly British), boss (slang), brag, brave, bully, bumper, capital, choice, classic, cool (slang), corking, crackerjack, cracking, dandy, divine, dope (slang), down (slang), dynamite, excellent, fab, fabulous, famous, fantabulous (slang), fantastic, fine, first-class, first-rate, first-string, five-star, frontline, gangbusters, gone (slang), grand, great, groovy, heavenly, high-class, hot, hype (slang), immense, jim-dandy, keen, lovely, marvelous, mean, neat, nifty, noble, number one, numero uno, out-of-sight (slang), par excellence, peachy, peachy keen, phat (slang), prime, primo (slang), prize, prizewinning, quality, radical (slang), righteous (slang), sensational, splendid, stellar, sterling, superb, superior, superlative, supernal, swell, terrific, tip-top, top, top-notch, wizard (chiefly British), wonderful, better, preferred, fancy, high-grade, special
    near: common, commonplace, everyday, familiar, frequent, garden, household, normal, ordinary, routine, ubiquitous, usual, inferior, lesser, worse, worst, bad, bastard, bush, bush-league, deficient, depressed, dissatisfactory, ill, lame, lousy, low, lower, off, paltry, poor, punk, substandard, unacceptable, unsatisfactory, wanting, low-grade, mediocre, second-class, second-rate, atrocious, awful, execrable, pathetic, rotten, terrible, vile, wretched

  2. being the one or ones of a class with no other members

    "that is the only possible right answer"

    "we were the only passengers on the tour bus"

    similar: alone, lone, one, one-off, singular, sole, solitary, special, sui generis, unique
    related: single, solo, unaccompanied, unattended, incomparable, inimitable, matchless, peerless, unequaled, unmatched, unparalleled, unrivaled, unsurpassable, unsurpassed, distinct, distinctive, individual, separate, nonce
    near: divers, manifold, multifarious, myriad, assorted, heterogenous, miscellaneous, mixed, motley, patchwork, promiscuous, varied, popular, prevailing, prevalent, rampant, perennial, recurrent, repeated

Only (conjunction) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. if it were not for the fact that

    "that's a very nice idea, only it won't help"

    similar: but, except, saving, yet

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Only

The most common words with a similar meaning to Only:

alone, exclusively, just, purely, simply, solely, freshly, late, lately, new, newly, now, recently, but, merely, of late, incomparable, inimitable, matchless, nonpareil, peerless, unequaled, unexampled, unmatched, unparalleled, unrivaled, unsurpassable, unsurpassed, lone, one, one-off, singular, sole, solitary, special, sui generis, unique, out of sight, except, saving

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Only

Words with the opposite meaning of Only:

anciently

Related Words for Only

basically, by and large, chiefly, generally, largely, mainly, mostly, predominantly, primarily, principally, substantially, latterly, exceptional, extraordinary, rare, uncommon, unusual, A-OK, A1, awesome, bang-up, banner, beautiful, blue-chip, boffo, bonny, boss, brag, brave, bully

Near Antonyms of Only

additionally, also, besides, likewise, ago, before, earlier, early, erstwhile, formerly, previously, heretofore, hitherto, common, commonplace, everyday, familiar, frequent, garden, household, normal, ordinary, routine, ubiquitous, usual, inferior, lesser, worse, worst, bad

Origin & Etymology of Only

Middle English, from Old English ānlīc, from ān one one

First known use: before 12th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Only

Words & Phrases Containing Only

only child, only fair, only have eyes for, only natural, only right, only succeed in, only too

Frequently Asked Questions about Only

What does "Only" mean?

"Only" means unquestionably the best, peerless. As an an adjective, an adverb and a conjunction, it is defined as: unquestionably the best, peerless. It has 6 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Only"?

Other words for "Only" include alone, exclusively, just, purely, simply, solely, freshly and late. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Only" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Only"?

There are 156 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Only". Common alternatives include alone, exclusively, just, purely, simply, solely, freshly, late, lately and new.

What is the opposite of "Only"?

Antonyms of "Only" include anciently. Near antonyms include additionally, also, besides and likewise.

How do you use "Only" in a sentence?

Examples of "Only" in a sentence: "you're doing that only to annoy me"; "we won the election only six days ago"; "I was only fooling when I said I saw a shark in the water".

Is "Only" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Only" can be used as an adjective, an adverb and a conjunction, depending on the context.

Is "Only" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A1-level word, "Only" is typical of Cambridge A1 Movers (Young Learners), TOEIC Listening & Reading 120+.

How do you pronounce "Only"?

"Only" is pronounced /ˈōn-lē/ and divided into syllables as on·ly.