only

Everyday

1. Only means no more than, or just one. «Only 3 are left» means just 3 are left. tree →
2. Only means nothing or nobody else: «Only Sam knew». tree →
3. An only child has no brothers or sisters. tree →
4. «If only» shows a wish: «If only it would stop raining». tree →
5. (informal) Only can mean «but»: «I'd come, only I'm busy.» tree →
6. (casual, sarcastic) «Only the best for you» or «oh, only 3 hours late» says the opposite of what it means. tree →
7. (rough) «Only a muppet would…» is a put-down; «you only had one job» mocks someone who failed. tree →
8. (formal) «Solely», «exclusively» and «merely» are stiff words for only: «Admission is restricted exclusively to members.» tree →

In the lessons

In maths: tells a small amount or that a group is the whole; often marks what is left; «only half». In everyday life: rules («staff only», «for ages 8 and up only»). In science: «only one of the plants grew» picks out one result. In stories: «the only way out». In casual talk only is often sarcastic. In the exam voice: «solely», «a mere 4 items remain». Phrases: «only just» (barely), «not only … but also», «if only», «the one and only», «only child».

Examples

• Only 4 apples are left. tree →
• She has only 2 dollars. tree →
• He is the only boy in the class. tree →
• Only half of the cake was eaten. tree →
• She is an only child. tree →
• This door is for staff only. tree →
• If only I had brought my umbrella! tree →
• The only way out was through the window. tree →
• only 2 quid left after the shop, gutted (casual, UK) tree →
• Oh, only an hour late, well done (sarcastic) tree →
• You had one job — carry 6 eggs — and you broke 4. (rough) tree →
• Subsequent to the sale, a mere 4 items remained; the vendor had initially possessed 19. Determine the number sold. (formal exam) tree →
• But the Skin Horse only smiled. tree →

Note

«Only» does not change the number; it stresses that it is small. Trap: «only 4 are left» gives the end amount, not the amount taken away. Where you put «only» changes the meaning: «Only I ate cake» (nobody else ate) vs «I ate only cake» (nothing else). «Only just» means barely (only just made it). Sarcasm trap: «only an hour late» means very late. «Not only … but also» adds two things. Formal «merely» and «solely» = only.

In Jewish tradition

In maths: tells a small amount or that a group is the whole; often marks what is left; «only half». In everyday life: rules («staff only», «for ages 8 and up only»). In science: «only one of the plants grew» picks out one result. In stories: «the only way out». In casual talk only is often sarcastic. In the exam voice: «solely», «a mere 4 items remain». Phrases: «only just» (barely), «not only … but also», «if only», «the one and only», «only child».

Examples

• Neither with you only do I make this covenant and this oath; (Torah DEU.29.14, JPS 1917) tree →
• Only flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat. (Torah GEN.9.4, JPS 1917) tree →
• He that sacrificeth unto the gods, save unto the LORD only, shall be utterly destroyed. (Torah EXO.22.20, JPS 1917) tree →
• And as for your answers, there remaineth only faithlessness? (Writings JOB.21.34, JPS 1917) tree →
• Let them be only thine own, and not strangers' with thee. (Writings PRO.5.17, JPS 1917) tree →
• By pride cometh only contention; but with the well-advised is wisdom. (Writings PRO.13.10, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

«Only» does not change the number; it stresses that it is small. Trap: «only 4 are left» gives the end amount, not the amount taken away. Where you put «only» changes the meaning: «Only I ate cake» (nobody else ate) vs «I ate only cake» (nothing else). «Only just» means barely (only just made it). Sarcasm trap: «only an hour late» means very late. «Not only … but also» adds two things. Formal «merely» and «solely» = only.