if only
idiom
—used to talk about something that one wants to happen or be true
If only she loved me in return!
If only it would stop raining.
Examples of if only in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The two seemed to make an ideal pair, if only because they are both regarded as very talented actors and comedians.
—
Martha Ross, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026
Hitting the books would’ve benefitted Roberts and Riera, if only because learning more about real chimps might’ve inspired them to invent a richer fictional world.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 8 Jan. 2026
Just think how much the Buckinghams would be pocketing if only the Muslims had decided to fly out of some other US airport back in 2001.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 7 Jan. 2026
There’s something extra fascinating about cold cases, if only because of the mystery factor.
—James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Jan. 2026
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Martha Ross, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026
Hitting the books would’ve benefitted Roberts and Riera, if only because learning more about real chimps might’ve inspired them to invent a richer fictional world.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 8 Jan. 2026
Just think how much the Buckinghams would be pocketing if only the Muslims had decided to fly out of some other US airport back in 2001.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 7 Jan. 2026
There’s something extra fascinating about cold cases, if only because of the mystery factor.
—James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for if only
Cite this Entry
“If only.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/if%20only. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
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