only - Longman English Dictionary Online

only - Definition from Longman English Dictionary Online:

only [only before noun]

1 used to say that there is one person, thing, or group in a particular situation and no others:

I was the only woman there.

He is our only child.

I was the only one who disagreed.

Cutting costs is the only solution.

She's the only person for this job.

2

the only thing/problem is ...

spoken used when you are going to mention a problem or disadvantage:

I could take you. The only thing is Dan might need the car.

3

an only child

a child who has no brothers or sisters

➔ the one and only

at one4 (2)

; ➔ (only) time will tell

at time1 (36)

on‧ly

1 not more than a particular number, age etc:

Naomi was only 17 when she got married.

There are only a few cars on the island.

It's only eight o'clock.

2 used to say that something or someone is not very important, serious etc:

It was only a joke.

It's an interesting job, but it's only temporary.

They're only small cuts, nothing life-threatening.

3 nothing or no one except a particular person or thing:

Only the president can authorize a nuclear attack.

We use only the best ingredients.

women/men/residents etc only

The car park is for staff only.

4 used to say that something happens or is possible in one particular situation or place and no others, or for one particular reason:

I'll tell you, but only if you don't tell anyone else.

I ate the food, but only because I was starving.

The transfer takes place only when the data is complete.

5 no earlier than a particular time

only yesterday/last week/recently

'When did you e-mail her?' 'Only yesterday.'

only then did/would/could etc somebody do something (=at that moment and not before)

Only then did she tell him about the attack.

6

only just

British English

a) a very short time ago ago:

She's only just got up.

b) almost not [= barely]:

I only just finished my essay in time.

7

can only hope/wait etc

used to say that it is not possible to do more than hope etc:

We can only hope it won't rain on the day.

8

I can only think/suppose/assume (that)

spoken used when you are giving a reason for something, to say that you do not know something for certain but think that this is the only possible reason:

I can only assume that it was a mistake.

9

I only wish/hope

spoken used to express a strong wish or hope:

'What's happening?' 'I only wish I knew.'

10

if only

spoken used to express a strong wish:

If only he'd call!

11

you'll only

spoken used to tell someone that what they want to do will have a bad effect:

Don't interfere - you'll only make things worse.

12

you only have to read/look at/listen to etc something

spoken used to say that it is easy to know that something is true because you can see or hear things that prove it:

You only have to look at the statistics to see that things are getting worse.

13

only to

used to say that someone did something, with a disappointing or surprising result:

I arrived only to find that the others had already left.

14

only too

very:

Prices have risen sharply, as we know only too well.

Mark was only too happy to agree with her.

➔ not only ... but (also)

at not (4)

; ➔ only have eyes for somebody

at eye1 (32)

; ➔ for somebody's eyes only

at eye1 (25)