only only /ˈoʊnli/

adjective

1. Exclusive of anyone or anything else  ( only , alone )
   exclusive of anyone or anything else
    She alone believed him
   she alone believed him
    Cannot live by bread alone
   cannot live by bread alone
    I'll have this car and this car only
   I'll have this car and this car only
   
2. Being the only one; single and isolated from others  ( lone , lonesome , only , sole , solitary )
   being the only one; single and isolated from others
    The lone doctor in the entire county
   the lone doctor in the entire county
    A lonesome pine
   a lonesome pine
    An only child
   an only child
    The sole heir
   the sole heir
    The sole example
   the sole example
    A solitary instance of cowardice
   a solitary instance of cowardice
    A solitary speck in the sky
   a solitary speck in the sky
   

adverb

1. () And nothing more  ( but , simply , merely , just , only )
   and nothing more
    I was merely asking
   I was merely asking
    It is simply a matter of time
   it is simply a matter of time
    Just a scratch
   just a scratch
    He was only a child
   he was only a child
    Hopes that last but a moment
   hopes that last but a moment
   
2. () Without any others being included or involved  ( entirely , exclusively , solely , alone , only )
   without any others being included or involved
    Was entirely to blame
   was entirely to blame
    A school devoted entirely to the needs of problem children
   a school devoted entirely to the needs of problem children
    He works for Mr. Smith exclusively
   he works for Mr. Smith exclusively
    Did it solely for money
   did it solely for money
    The burden of proof rests on the prosecution alone
   the burden of proof rests on the prosecution alone
    A privilege granted only to him
   a privilege granted only to him
   
3. () With nevertheless the final result  ( only )
   with nevertheless the final result
    He arrived only to find his wife dead
   He arrived only to find his wife dead
    We won only to lose again in the next round
   We won only to lose again in the next round
   
4. () In the final outcome  ( only )
   in the final outcome
    These news will only make you more upset
   These news will only make you more upset
   
5. () Except that  ( only )
   except that
    It was the same story; only this time she came out better
   It was the same story; only this time she came out better
   
6. () Never except when  ( only if , only , only when )
   never except when
    Call me only if your cold gets worse
   call me only if your cold gets worse
   
7. As recently as  ( only )
   as recently as
    I spoke to him only an hour ago
   I spoke to him only an hour ago