only
∞
1.0
- adverb
- /ˈoʊnli/
- 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
∞
1.0
A short time before now
Antonyms
Idioms
Compounds
- Specialized
1
4.4
A small computer chip that holds information you can use but cannot change
- Specialized
A chip you clear with ultraviolet light and then write new information on it
- Specialized
A part of a computer where information can be looked at but not changed
How Recent
Surface Forms
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.