Entry Word: only

Function: adjective

Meaning: 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>

Synonyms incomparable, inimitable, matchless, nonpareil, peerless, unequaled (or unequalled), unexampled, unmatched, unparalleled, unrivaled (or unrivalled), unsurpassable, unsurpassed

Related Words singular, unique; exceptional, extraordinary, rare, uncommon, unusual; A1, bang-up, banner, boss [slang], capital, classic, dandy, excellent, fabulous, fine, first-class, first-rate, grand, great, groovy, jim-dandy, keen, marvelous (or marvellous), mean, neat, par excellence, prime, superb, superior, superlative, terrific, tip-top, top-notch; better, preferred; exceptional, fancy, high-grade, special

Near Antonyms common, everyday, normal, ordinary, usual; inferior, lesser, worse, worst; bad, low, lower; low-grade, substandard, unsatisfactory; mediocre, second-class, second-rate; atrocious, execrable, 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>

Synonyms alone, lone, singular, sole, solitary, special, unique

Related Words solo, unaccompanied, unattended; incomparable, inimitable, matchless, peerless, unequaled (or unequalled), unmatched, unparalleled, unrivaled (or unrivalled), unsurpassable, unsurpassed; distinct, distinctive, individual, separate

Near Antonyms manifold, multifarious, myriad; assorted, heterogenous, miscellaneous, mixed, motley