only

on·ly

O0080500 (ōn′lē)adj.1. a. Alone in kind or class; sole: That's the only pen I have.b. Having no siblings: an only child.2. Most suitable of all; superior or excellent: This is the only way to cook a good steak.adv.1. Without anyone or anything else; alone: We have only two sandwiches left.2. a. At the very least: If you would only come home. The story was only too true.b. And nothing else or more; merely; just: I was only following orders.3. Exclusively; solely: facts known only to us.4. a. In the last analysis or final outcome; inevitably: actions that will only make things worse.b. With the negative or unfortunate result: received a raise only to be laid off.5. a. As recently as: called me only last month.b. In the immediate past: only just saw them.conj.1. Were it not that; except that: We would have reached the summit, only the weather got bad.2. a. With the restriction that; but: You may go, only be careful.b. However; and yet: The merchandise is well made, only we can't use it.

[Middle English, from Old English ānlīc : ān, one; see one + -līc, having the form of; see -ly¹.]Usage Note: The adverb only is notorious for its ability to change the meaning of a sentence depending on its placement. Consider the difference in meaning in the following examples: Dictators respect only force; they are not moved by words. Dictators only respect force; they do not worship it. She picked up the phone only when he entered, not before. She only picked up the phone when he entered; she didn't dial the number. The surest way to prevent readers from misinterpreting only is to place it next to the word or words it modifies. Many usage sticklers view this policy as a rule that should always be followed, but in many cases it sounds more natural for only to come earlier in the sentence, and if the preceding context is sufficiently clear, there is scant likelihood of being misunderstood. Thus, the rule requires We can come to an agreement only if everyone is willing to compromise. But it may sound more natural, with slightly different emphasis and with no risk of misunderstanding, to say We can only come to an agreement if everyone is willing to compromise. · The expression one of the only is sometimes called out for being illogical, as only implies singularity but the noun following it is plural in this construction. The Usage Panel is mixed on the subject. In our 2008 survey, 48 percent accepted the sentence He is one of the only hard-working people left around here. Many panelists may object to the use of the word as an adjective to mean "few" instead of "one" (as in That's the only pen I have left). The expression the only two found more favor, despite its apparent illogic, with 62 percent accepting She is one of the only two writers I can relate to. This is probably because of similarity to the adverbial use of only with two, which is well established and familiar (There are only two seats left). See Usage Note at not.

only

(ˈəʊnlɪ) adj (prenominal) 1. the only being single or very few in number: the only men left in town were too old to bear arms. 2. (of a child) having no siblings3. unique by virtue of being superior to anything else; peerless4. one and only a. (adjective) incomparable; uniqueb. (as noun) the object of all one's love: you are my one and only. adv5. without anyone or anything else being included; alone: you have one choice only; only a genius can do that. 6. merely or just: it's only Henry. 7. no more or no greater than: we met only an hour ago. 8. Irish (intensifier): she was only marvellous; it was only dreadful. 9. used in conditional clauses introduced by if to emphasize the impossibility of the condition ever being fulfilled: if I had only known, this would never have happened. 10. not earlier than; not…until: I only found out yesterday. 11. if only an expression used to introduce a wish, esp one felt to be unrealizable12. only if never…except when13. only too a. (intensifier): he was only too pleased to help. b. most regrettably (esp in the phrase only too true)sentence connectorbut; however: used to introduce an exception or condition: play outside: only don't go into the street. [Old English ānlīc, from ān one + -līc -ly²]Usage: In informal English, only is often used as a sentence connector: I would have phoned you, only I didn't know your number. This use should be avoided in formal writing: I would have phoned you if I'd known your number. In formal speech and writing, only is placed directly before the word or words that it modifies: she could interview only three applicants in the morning. In all but the most formal contexts, however, it is generally regarded as acceptable to put only before the verb: she could only interview three applicants in the morning. Care must be taken not to create ambiguity, esp in written English, in which intonation will not, as it does in speech, help to show to which item in the sentence only applies. A sentence such as she only drinks tea in the afternoon is capable of two interpretations and is therefore better rephrased either as she drinks only tea in the afternoon (i.e. no other drink) or she drinks tea only in the afternoon (i.e. at no other time)

on•ly

(ˈoʊn li)

adv. 1. without others or anything further; alone; solely; exclusively: This information is for your eyes only. 2. no more than; merely; just: only on weekends; If it were only true! 3. as recently as: I read that article only yesterday. 4. in the final outcome or decision: That will only make matters worse. adj. 5. being the single one or the relatively few of the kind; lone; sole: the only seat left. 6. having no sibling or no sibling of the same sex: an only child. conj. 7. but (introducing a single restriction, restraining circumstance, or the like): I would have gone, only you objected. 8. Older Use. except; but: Only for him you would not be here. Idioms: only too, very; extremely. [before 900; Middle English; Old English ānlich, ǣnlich. See one, -ly] usage: Some usage guides maintain that misunderstanding will arise if the modifier only is not placed immediately before what it modifies. Inserting only in the sentence The doctor examined the children might produce ambiguity in written English. The doctor examined only the children would signify that no one else was examined, whereas The doctor only examined the children could indicate either that the doctor did nothing else or that no one else was examined. In all varieties of speech and writing there has long been a tendency to place only before the verb in a sentence regardless of what it modifies. In spoken English the intended meaning may be conveyed by stressing the construction to which only applies.

only

Only can be an adjective or an adverb.

1. used as an adjective

You use only in front of a noun or one to say that something is true about one person, thing, or group and not true about anyone or anything else. In front of only you put the or a possessive.

Grace was the only survivor.I was the only one listening.'Have you a spare one?' 'No, it's my only copy unfortunately.'

When only has this meaning, you must use a noun or one after it. You cannot say, for example, 'He was the only to escape'. If you don't want to use a more specific noun, you can use person or thing. You can say, for example, 'He was the only person to escape'.

He was the only person allowed to issue documents of that sort.It was the only thing they could do.

If you use another adjective or a number, you put only in front of it.

The only English city he enjoyed working in was Manchester.So I probably have the only three copies of the album in existence.

'Only' is not normally used after an. There is one common exception: if you say that someone is an only child, you mean that they have no brothers or sisters.

As an only child she is accustomed to adult company.2. used as an adverb

Only is used as an adverb to say that something is the one thing that is done, that happens, or that is relevant in a particular situation, in contrast to all the other things that are not done, do not happen, or are not relevant.

If only applies to the subject of a clause, you put it in front of the subject.

Only his close friends knew how much he worried about his daughters.We believe that only a completely different approach will be effective.

If the verb is be, you put only after it.

There is only one train that goes from Denmark to Sweden by night.

If the verb is not 'be' and only does not apply to the subject, you usually put it in front of the verb or after the first auxiliary verb, regardless of what it applies to. For example, instead of saying 'I see my brother only at weekends', you usually say 'I only see my brother at weekends'.

Drivers only find serious traffic jams in the city centre.We could only choose two of them.New technology will only be introduced by agreement with the unions.3. used for emphasis

However, if you want to be quite clear or emphatic, you put only immediately in front of the word, word phrase, or clause it applies to.

He played only classical music.You may borrow only one item at a time.We film only when something interesting is found.

For extra emphasis, you can put only after the word or word phrase that it applies to.

We insisted on being interviewed by women journalists only.This strategy was used once only.

In writing and formal speech, you can put only at the beginning of a sentence, followed by the word, phrase, or clause it applies to. After this word, phrase, or clause, you put an auxiliary verb or be followed by the subject of the main clause.

Only here was it safe to prepare and handle hot drinks.Only then did Ginny realize that she still hadn't phoned her mother.

Another way of emphasizing is to start with 'It is only...' or 'It was only...' and the word or words that you want to emphasize. You put the rest of the sentence in a that-clause.

It was only much later that I realized what had happened.It was only when he started to take photographs that he was stopped.4. 'not only'

You use not only with but or but also as a way of linking words or word groups.

See not only

Thesaurus

Adj.

1.only - being the only one; single and isolated from others; "the lone doctor in the entire county"; "a lonesome pine"; "an only child"; "the sole heir"; "the sole example"; "a solitary instance of cowardice"; "a solitary speck in the sky"lonesome, sole, lone, solitarysingle - existing alone or consisting of one entity or part or aspect or individual; "upon the hill stood a single tower"; "had but a single thought which was to escape"; "a single survivor"; "a single serving"; "a single lens"; "a single thickness"

only - exclusive of anyone or anything else; "she alone believed him"; "cannot live by bread alone"; "I'll have this car and this car only"aloneexclusive - excluding much or all; especially all but a particular group or minority; "exclusive clubs"; "an exclusive restaurants and shops"

Adv.

1.only - and nothing more; "I was merely asking"; "it is simply a matter of time"; "just a scratch"; "he was only a child"; "hopes that last but a moment"but, just, merely, simply

only - without any others being included or involved; "was entirely to blame"; "a school devoted entirely to the needs of problem children"; "he works for Mr. Smith exclusively"; "did it solely for money"; "the burden of proof rests on the prosecution alone"; "a privilege granted only to him"alone, exclusively, solely, entirely

3.only - with nevertheless the final result; "He arrived only to find his wife dead"; "We won only to lose again in the next round"

4.only - in the final outcome; "These news will only make you more upset"

5.only - except that; "It was the same story; only this time she came out better"

6.only - never except when; "call me only if your cold gets worse"only if, only when

7.only - as recently as; "I spoke to him only an hour ago"

only

adjective1. sole, one, single, individual, exclusive, unique, lone, solitary, one and only She was the only applicant for the job.adverb1. just, simply, purely, merely, no more than, nothing but, but, at most, at a push At the moment it's only a theory.2. hardly, just, barely, only just, scarcely, at most, at a push I only have enough money for one ticket.3. exclusively, entirely, purely, solely Computers are only for use by class members.

only

adjective1. Alone in a given category:lone, one, particular, separate, single, singular, sole, solitary, unique.Idioms: first and last, one and only.2. Without equal or rival:alone, incomparable, matchless, nonpareil, peerless, singular, unequaled, unexampled, unique, unmatched, unparalleled, unrivaled.adverb1. To the exclusion of anyone or anything else:alone, but, entirely, exclusively, solely.2. Nothing more than:just, merely.

Translations

仅仅唯一的唯有才只

only

(ˈəunli) adjective without any others of the same type. He has no brothers or sisters – he's an only child; the only book of its kind.唯一的 adverb1. not more than. We have only two cups left; He lives only a mile away.仅仅2. alone. Only you can do it.唯有3. showing the one action done, in contrast to other possibilities. I only scolded the child – I did not smack him.只4. not longer ago than. I saw him only yesterday.才5. showing the one possible result of an action. If you do that, you'll only make him angry.只能 conjunction except that, but. I'd like to go, only I have to work.不过only too very. I'll be only too pleased to come. 实在，非常

only

→ 仅仅zhCN, 唯一的zhCN

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adj sole

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adv just

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adv hardly

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adv exclusively

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adj alone in a given category

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adj without equal or rival

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adv to the exclusion of anyone or anything else

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adv nothing more than

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Synonyms for only

adj being the only one

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Related Words

adj exclusive of anyone or anything else

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adv and nothing more

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adv without any others being included or involved

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adv never except when

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