always used before a noun
: alone in a class or category : existing with no other or others of the same kind
—usually used with the or a possessive (such as my, her, its, their, John's, etc.)
He's the only [=one] man I've ever loved.
They were the only people to survive the crash.
You're not the only one who's worried about the future. [=other people are also worried about the future]
You're the only person I trust.
my only true friend
He was her only brother.
What a shame, your party is on the only day I can't come!
Mondays are Kim's only days off from work.
This is the only cleaning product you'll ever need!
Keeping you safe is our only [=sole] concern.
That was the only reason I didn't take the job.
The only way out is through that window.
It's the only possible answer. = It's the only answer possible.
The only thing left for us to do is wait. [=there is nothing else we can do but wait]
(informally) I can probably come Friday. The only thing [=the one problem] is that my car is in the shop.
It's the first and only drug of its kind.
1
a
: no more than
They lost only [=just, merely] one game this season.
I've met him only once. = I've only met him once.
She had been there only twice in her life.
We have only five minutes to get there. = We only have five minutes to get there.
There are only two more weeks until summer vacation.
It's only a matter of time before someone gets hurt.
Do you really have to leave? It's only eight o'clock.
He was only a baby when his father died.
Leave her alone. She's only a kid.
The building is only about 10 years old.
She plays several instruments including the guitar, violin, and piano, to name only [=but] a few.
It was quiet in the room, but only for a moment.
She is only partly/partially to blame.
b
: nothing other than
—used to indicate that a single thing was done, is needed, is possible, etc.
I asked him a question, but he only smiled in response.
I'm happy to help. You only have/need to ask. = (more formally) You have only to ask. = (more formally) You need only ask. [=I will gladly help you if you ask me to]
We can only guess/imagine/wonder [=we cannot know] what they will do next.
One can only hope for the best. [=there is nothing to do but hope for the best]
c
—used for emphasis
I only wish [=I wish very much] you'd told me sooner.
I only hope that the mistake will be corrected soon.
It's only natural [=it's normal/reasonable] (that) you would feel that way.
—sometimes used in the phrase only justWe only just missed the bus. [=we missed it by a very small amount of time; we almost caught the bus]
Our trip had only just begun.
2
: excluding all others
The club is for women only.
The sign on the door says "Employees Only."
Only employees can use that door.
: nobody or nothing except
I love only you and no one else.
She said only that she knew him. [=she said nothing other than that she knew him]
The storm destroyed the house leaving only a pile of rubble.
That sound can mean only one thing. = That sound can only mean one thing.
Only the strongest will survive.
Only the best fabric will do. [=I want nothing except the best fabric]
The restaurant serves only vegetarian cuisine.
For reasons known only to her/herself, she sold her house and left town.
3
a
: in no time, place, or situation except the one specified
Violence should be used only as a last resort. = Violence should only be used as a last resort.
It should be used only when (it's) absolutely necessary.
Only then did I realize that I had made a mistake.
The animal is found only on the continent of Australia.
Only in America can such things happen! [=such things cannot happen anywhere but in America]
The drug is available only by prescription. = The drug is available by prescription only.
I'll go only if he goes with me. = (more strongly) I'll go if and only if he goes with me.
We made the change only after careful consideration of the consequences.
b
: for no other reason than
I came here only because she asked me to.
only for the sake of argument
4
: nothing more important or serious than
It was only [=just, merely] a minor accident. No one got hurt.
I'm fine. It's only a scratch.
"Who was that on the phone?" "Oh, it was only a salesperson."
I didn't hit him. I only touched him!
She didn't mean to insult you. She was only joking!
They were only following orders.
5
—used to emphasize that something happened recently
It happened only [=just] last week.
I saw her here only a moment ago.
Only in the last few years have we come to understand the condition.
It seems like only yesterday that you were a baby.
6
a
—used to say that something has or will have a particular and usually bad result
You shouldn't eat that. It will only make you sick.
The large number of people who came to help only added to the confusion.
b
—used to indicate something bad or surprising that happens after something else —followed by to + verb
They won the battle, only to lose the war. [=they won the battle but lost the war]
I ran to the station only to find (that) I had missed the train.
Cite this Entry
“Only.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/only. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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