Only (Adverb)

Meaning ¹

Never except when; "call me only if your cold gets worse".

Examples

• Contact the emergency services only if you suspect a gas leak.
• I'll meet you at the door only if you come alone.
• Use this number only if you have a serious complaint.
• Come to my office only if you have an appointment.
• Call the doctor only if your symptoms persist.

Synonyms

• Only If
• Only When

Meaning ²

In the final outcome; "These news will only make you more upset".

Examples

• She'll only realize her mistake when it's too late.
• Those actions will only serve to make things worse.
• Trying to rush him will only slow him down.
• Complaining about the weather will only get you more frustrated.
• Her harsh words will only make the situation more unbearable.

Meaning ³

And nothing more; "I was merely asking"; "it is simply a matter of time"; "just a scratch"; "he was only a child"; "hopes that last but a moment".

Examples

• She was only a beginner, but her skills improved quickly.
• He thought his injury was only a scratch at first, but it turned out to be more serious.
• The company has only a small market share compared to its competitors.
• After years of searching, they finally found the last piece, and it was only a tiny fragment.
• The beautiful firework exploded in the sky and was only visible for a brief moment.

Synonyms

• Just
• Merely
• Simply
• But

Meaning ⁴

As recently as; "I spoke to him only an hour ago".

Examples

• I saw her only yesterday at the store.
• He only graduated from college a few months ago.
• I spoke to him only an hour ago.
• I only met her a week ago at the party.
• I only started this job a few days ago.

Meaning ⁵

Without any others being included or involved; "was entirely to blame"; "a school devoted entirely to the needs of problem children"; "he works for Mr. Smith exclusively"; "did it solely for money"; "the burden of proof rests on the prosecution alone"; "a privilege granted only to him".

Examples

• The project was given to her alone, without consulting the rest of the team.
• She is responsible only for the finances, and not for any other department.
• He decided to run for the presidency solely to improve his public image.
• This library is open only to university students, with no exceptions.
• She went to that expensive store only to buy a gift for her sister.

Synonyms

• Alone
• Exclusively
• Solely
• Entirely

Meaning ⁶

Except that; "It was the same story; only this time she came out better".

Examples

• She is very fit, only the weather is too hot for a marathon today.
• He thought the plan was perfect, only the lack of funding ruined it.
• Life was peaceful, only the continuous noise disrupted it.
• Their income is sufficient, only the taxes take a huge share of it.
• We found the house attractive, only the neighborhood was too crowded.

Meaning ⁷

With nevertheless the final result; "He arrived only to find his wife dead"; "We won only to lose again in the next round".

Examples

• She spent years preparing for the audition only to forget her lines on stage.
• They studied all night only to fail the exam the next morning.
• The team fought hard only to lose the championship in the final seconds.
• He waited patiently in line only to discover they were out of his size.
• They invested all their savings only to see the company go bankrupt.