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only

only

1.0
No earlier than the time mentioned
  • adverb
  • /ˈoʊnli/
translation icon : apenas
  • She arrived at the event only an hour before it started, just in time to see the speeches.
  • only recently
  • only a week earlier
  • only in recent years

Examples

  • The report was only submitted last week, so it's too early to assess the results.

  • He's only 10 years old.

  • People think that history is only as far back as yesterday.

  • You only had it ten minutes.

  • I only discovered it recently.

  • I'll only be gone for three days.

  • I checked my map, and it's only about four days from here.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • In any case, it would seem only logical to go see his doctor.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • As of this writing, it's only available for Mac computers and iPads.

    Academic text (2011)
  • You know, Kierkegaard says that life can only be understood backwards.

Synonyms

just
vsonly
1.0

A short time before now

specifies the earliest allowed time meaning not before that

Antonyms

1.0

At an earlier time

4 1.0

Before now or before a set time

Idioms

65 3.9

A single person or thing that is special and has no equal

A single choice to escape a place or situation

31 3.0

To wish the past had been different because you regret it

28 6.5

Very much more than expected or wanted

9 6.1

A title with no real power or duties

Something that stays the same while everything else changes

6.9

It has very little value

Compounds

eyes-only
  • Formal
6 9.3

A document that only the person who receives it may read

read-only memory
  • Specialized
1 4.4

A small computer chip that holds information you can use but cannot change

A CD for computers that holds data you cannot change

A chip you clear with ultraviolet light and then write new information on it

read-only file
  • Specialized
3.9

A file you can open and view but cannot change or delete

read-only memory chip
  • Specialized
3.7

A small computer chip that stores data you cannot change

read-only storage
  • Specialized
4.3

A part of a computer where information can be looked at but not changed

How Recent

just
1.0
only
1.0
recently
1.0
long ago
521 1.0

Surface Forms

only positive

Etymology

Only also kept the idea of 'one' for time, so before a time word it can mean 'just' or 'no earlier than'. That's why 'only yesterday' means the event was as recent as one day ago.