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
That track went on to become a defining hit of its own era, and one that helped the group become breakout stars, if only for a time.
—
Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
Now, if only future impressions can remain as strong as the first ones.
—Joey Knight, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2025
Irate and dismissive, but then reluctantly indulgent, Ed agrees to humor Simon, if only with the expectation of dispelling his paranoia.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 25 Apr. 2025
India’s natural environment still has a fighting chance, if only more people pay attention to the local knowledge brimming in this book.
—Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
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Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
Now, if only future impressions can remain as strong as the first ones.
—Joey Knight, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2025
Irate and dismissive, but then reluctantly indulgent, Ed agrees to humor Simon, if only with the expectation of dispelling his paranoia.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 25 Apr. 2025
India’s natural environment still has a fighting chance, if only more people pay attention to the local knowledge brimming in this book.
—Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
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 2 May. 2025.
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