Definition only
Etymology
From Middle English oonly, onli, onlych, onelich, anely, from Old English ānlīċ, ǣnlīċ (“like; similar; equal”), from Proto-Germanic *ainalīkaz, equivalent to one + -ly. Cognate with obsolete Dutch eenlijk, German ähnlich (“similar”), Old Norse álíkr, Swedish enlig (“unified”).
Adjective
only (not comparable)
- Alone in a category.
- (Can we verify this sense?) Singularly superior; the best.
- Without sibling; without a sibling of the same gender.
- (obsolete) Mere.
Adverb
only (not comparable)
- Without others or anything further; exclusively.
- No more than; just.
- As recently as.
- Used to express surprise or consternation at an action.
- (obsolete) Above all others; particularly.
Conjunction
only
- Under the condition that; but.
- But; except.
Noun
only (plural onlys or onlies)
- An only child.