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on·ly
 only
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- pronunciation:
- on
li
- parts of speech:
- adverb, adjective, conjunction
| part of speech: |
adverb |
| definition 1: |
If you only want to watch TV, then watching TV is the one thing you want to do, and you don't want to do anything else. If you only go swimming in the summer, then you don't go swimming at any other time of the year.
I want to see everything at the zoo, but my little sister only wants to see the penguins.- synonyms:
- just
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| definition 2: |
"Only" sometimes means "just" or "at least."
If Gabe had only seen the puddle in front of him, he wouldn't have stepped in it and gotten his shoes wet.If I only had a very small screwdriver, I could fix this.- synonyms:
- at least
- similar words:
- simply
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| part of speech: |
adjective |
| definition 1: |
If bees are the only insects you are afraid of, then no other insects except bees scare you. If cereal is the only thing you eat for breakfast, then you eat cereal but nothing else.
Alexis is the only one in our class who can read long books.The only thing Gabriel really wants for his birthday is a new soccer ball.- synonyms:
- sole
- similar words:
- alone, individual, single, unique
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| definition 2: |
When you are an only child, it means that you have no brothers or sisters.
Emily is an only child, so she never has to share anything. |
| related words: |
separate |
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| part of speech: |
conjunction |
| definition: |
"Only" sometimes mean "but." If you want to have a dog, only your father won't let you have one, it means that you want to have a dog, but your father won't let you.
I wanted to go on the roller coaster, only I wasn't tall enough.- synonyms:
- except
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