Only Definition
only
adverb
- 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"
- 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"
- with nevertheless the final result; "He arrived only to find his wife dead"; "We won only to lose again in the next round"
- in the final outcome; "These news will only make you more upset"
- except that; "It was the same story; only this time she came out better"
- never except when; "call me only if your cold gets worse"
- as recently as; "I spoke to him only an hour ago"
adjective
- 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"
- exclusive of anyone or anything else; "she alone believed him"; "cannot live by bread alone"; "I'll have this car and this car only"
"Only" in song lyrics
See how only is used in real songs:
-
"Lately, I'm lonely cause you're still the only"
3 Melancholy Gypsies — Beautiful Mind -
"Cause I made a promise to your mama when we was only 12"
504 Boyz — Beefing -
"to only"
51.50 — Stuck in the Game
Words that rhyme with only
Usage tips for "only"
Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "only" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for only to find words that pair well.