only: Meaning and Definition of

on•ly

Pronunciation: (ōn'lē), [key]
— adv.
  1. without others or anything further; alone; solely; exclusively: This information is for your eyes only.
  2. no more than; merely; just: If it were only true! I cook only on weekends.
  3. as recently as: I read that article only yesterday.
  4. in the final outcome or decision: You will only regret your harsh words to me.
  5. I am only too glad to go.
    1. as a matter of fact; extremely:I am only too glad to go.
    2. unfortunately; very:It is only too likely to happen.
—adj.
  1. being the single one or the relatively few of the kind: This is the only pencil I can find.
  2. having no sibling or no sibling of the same sex: an only child; an only son.
  3. single in superiority or distinction; unique; the best: the one and only Muhammad Ali.
—conj.
  1. but (introducing a single restriction, restraining circumstance, or the like): I would have gone, only you objected.
  2. except; but: Only for him you would not be here.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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