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Σάββατο 30 Μαρτίου 2013

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)

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