1
: unquestionably the best : peerless
is convinced that his team is the only one
2
a
: alone in a class or category : sole
She's the only person you can really trust.
b
: having no brother or sister
3
: few
one of the only areas not yet explored
That was one of the only times I saw him cry.
1
a
: as a single fact or instance and nothing more or different : merely
… has only lost one election …—
George Orwell
3
b
: with nevertheless the final result
won the battles, only to lose the war
4
a
: as recently as : not before
only in the last year did she get recognition
b
: in the immediate past
Placement of Only in a Sentence: Usage Guide
The placement of only in a sentence has been a source of studious commentary since the 18th century, most of it intended to prove by force of argument that prevailing standard usage is wrong. After 200 years of preachment the following observations may be made: the position of only in standard spoken English is not fixed, since ambiguity is avoided through sentence stress; in casual prose that keeps close to the rhythms of speech only is often placed where it would be in speech; and in edited and more formal prose only tends to be placed immediately before the word or words it modifies.
1
a
: with the restriction that : but
You may go, only come back early.
b
: and yet : however
They look very nice, only we can't use them.
2
: were it not that : except
I'd introduce you to her, only you'd win her.—Jack London
Synonyms of only
Examples of only in a Sentence
Adjective
the only way to really appreciate the beauty of the forest is to walk through it that is the only possible right answer Adverb
She had been there only twice in her life. 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. It was quiet in the room, but only for a moment. She is only partly to blame. The club is for women only. Conjunction
I'd love to sing along, only I don't know the words. They did have a radio, only it was broken. We wanted to buy that painting, only it was far too expensive.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Google plans to release audio-only ones that will allow users to speak with the Gemini AI assistant, the company said in a blog post in December.
—Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 16 Dec. 2025
His only prior American League experience came in 2023 with Cleveland.
—CBS News, 16 Dec. 2025
If the theory is that Pennywise is only now able to see through time because the cage was lifted, then taking out his eventual killers’ ancestors might be a new hobby.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 15 Dec. 2025
Carolina only needed to hold its two-possession lead to take a one-game lead over Tampa Bay in the NFC South, meaning the Panthers could clinch the division the following week with a victory.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for only
Word History
Etymology
Adjective and Adverb
Middle English, from Old English ānlīc, from ān one — more at one
First Known Use
Adjective
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adverb
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Conjunction
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of only was before the 12th century
Browse Nearby Words
Cite this Entry
“Only.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https:///dictionary/only. Accessed 17 Dec. 2025.
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