only

1 adverb

1 not more than a particular amount, number, age etc: Naomi was only 17 when she got married. | Only five minutes more, and then we can go home.

2 nothing or no one except: Only the president can authorize a nuclear attack. | Get me some peaches, but only pick the ones that are ripe. | staff/women/men etc only: The car park is for staff only.

3 not better, worse, or more important than: I didn't mean what I said. It was only a joke. | It's no good asking me. I'm only the cleaner.

4 in one place, situation, or way and no other, or for one reason and no other: a plant that is only found in Madagascar | I only did it for the money. | I'll tell you, but only if you promise not to tell anyone else.

—see unique

5 no earlier than a particular time: I only got here last night. | only yesterday/last week/recently: They got married five weeks ago but I only heard about it yesterday. | only then (=at that moment and not before): Trevor sat in the dark, and it was only then that he realised how unhappy he was.

6 only just especially BrE

a) a moment ago: No wonder she looks sleepy - she's only just got up.

b) almost not; hardly: There's only just room for the two of us on the back seat. | The dress fits her, but only just.

7 I only wish/hope spoken used to express a strong wish or hope: “What's going to happen after the divorce?” “I only wish I knew.”

8 if only used to express a strong wish: If only I had a car, I could get out of this place.

9 you'll only ... used to tell someone that what they want to do will have a bad effect: Don't interfere, you'll only make things worse.

10 you only have to read/look at/listen to etc spoken used to mean that it is easy to realise that something is true because you can see or hear things that prove it: The situation's getting worse - you only have to look at the crime statistics.

11 I can only assume/suppose etc used to say that you can only think of one explanation for something surprising or disappointing: I can only assume that there has been some kind of mistake.

12 only to ... used to say that someone did something, with a disappointing or surprising result: Scott arrived at the South Pole on January 18th, only to find that Amundsen had got there before him.

13 only too very or completely: Mark was only too ready to agree with her. | only too true/likely etc (=used when something unpleasant is true etc): “Is it true that there's going to be a war?” “Only too true, I'm afraid.”

— see also: not only...but (also) not (6), only have eyes for sb eye 1 (25) 2 adjective (only before a noun)

1 the only thing/person/way etc

a) the one single thing, person etc that there is when there are no others: Dan's the only guy in this office who smokes. | The only reason I came here was to see you.

b) the best: She's the only person for this job. | I'd recommend Kensington. Honestly - it's the only place to live.

2 the only thing is ... spoken used when you are going to mention a problem or disadvantage about something: I'd be happy to take you to the airport. The only thing is I think my mother needs the car.

3 an only child a child who has not brother or sisters

—see also: the one and only one 2 (13), (only) time will tell time 1 (66) 3 conjunction informal used like `but' to introduce the reason why something is not possible: I'd offer to help you, only I'm really busy just now.