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
Furthermore, if only one person in the household can maintain a routine of placing things in their dedicated areas, that system’s likely to fail.
—
Sheila Kim, The Spruce, 16 Feb. 2026
That said, the Heat need to find a way after the break to make this work for Niko, if only to either justify the extension or enhance potential trade value.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
The detritus of the birthday party forces her to look back — perhaps uncomfortably, if only fleetingly, for a woman whose career is all about momentum.
—Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 11 Feb. 2026
Switching things up and trying his hand at production, though, has helped Jake escape that exhausting cycle, if only for a little while.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for if only
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Sheila Kim, The Spruce, 16 Feb. 2026
That said, the Heat need to find a way after the break to make this work for Niko, if only to either justify the extension or enhance potential trade value.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
The detritus of the birthday party forces her to look back — perhaps uncomfortably, if only fleetingly, for a woman whose career is all about momentum.
—Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 11 Feb. 2026
Switching things up and trying his hand at production, though, has helped Jake escape that exhausting cycle, if only for a little while.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 10 Feb. 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 23 Feb. 2026.
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