only*/*/*/

[ˈəʊnli]

grammar word summary: Only can be: ■ an adverb: She's only 18. ■ an adjective: You're the only person who can help me. ■ a conjunction: You can come, only make sure you're on time.

1) nothing, no one, nowhere etc except used for showing that a statement does not apply to anyone or anything else except the person or thing that you are mentioning

The flowers grow only on the island of Maui.[/ex]

Everyone promised to come, but only Ted turned up.[/ex]

I only design the dresses, I don't actually make them.[/ex]

2) when there are no others used for showing that there are no other things or people of the same kind as the one or ones that you are mentioning

This is the only letter my father ever wrote to me.[/ex]

David's the only one of us who has a computer.[/ex]

My only reason for coming here was to see you.[/ex]

3) showing that an amount is small used for emphasizing that an amount, distance, or time is small

She was only 18 when she got married.[/ex]

The police station was only 150 yards away.[/ex]

The two men spoke with each other only briefly.[/ex]

4) not better, worse etc than sth used for saying that something is not better, worse, more important etc than you are stating

‘What was that noise?' ‘Don't worry – it's only the wind.'[/ex]

We are only trying to help.[/ex]

5) no earlier than sth not before a particular time, or not before a particular thing has happened

I met him for the first time only last week.[/ex]

You pay the agent only when you sell the house.[/ex]

6) but used for adding a comment to something that you have just said that makes it less true or correct

Her car is like mine, only it has four doors.[/ex]

I'd love to come. The only thing is, I'll have to leave early.[/ex]

•

only just — 1) a very short time ago[/ex]

The film's only just started, so you haven't missed much.[/ex]

— 2) by a small degree or a small amount

I've got only just enough money to last me the month.[/ex]

See:

one