only

An adjective used to indicate that something is single, exclusive, or limited to one person, thing, or instance.

ruПрилагательное, указывающее, что что‑то единственное, исключительное или ограниченное одним лицом, предметом или случаем.esAdjetivo que indica que algo es único, exclusivo o limitado a una sola persona, cosa o caso.frAdjectif indiquant que quelque chose est unique, exclusif ou limité à une seule personne, un seul objet ou un seul cas.deAdjektiv, das ausdrückt, dass etwas das Einzige, Ausschließliche oder auf eine Person, Sache oder einen Fall Beschränkte ist.ptAdjetivo que indica que algo é único, exclusivo ou limitado a uma só pessoa, coisa ou ocasião.zh形容词，表示某事物是唯一的、独有的，或仅限于一个人、事物或情况。arصفة تفيد أن الشيء وحيد أو الوحيد من نوعه أو مقصور على شخص أو شيء أو حالة واحدة دون سواه، وتُستعمل للحصر أو التوكيد.

1. Sole or single A1 formal

   Being the one and only person or thing; exclusive; not accompanied by others.

   • She is the only student who finished the assignment early.
   • This is the only way to enter the building.
   • He bought the only ticket left for the concert.

   ruЕдинственныйesúnicofrseul, uniquedeEinzigptÚnicozh唯一的arالوحيد

   Синонимы: exclusivelonesinglesolesolitaryunaccompaniedunique

   Антонимы: manymultiplenumerousseveral

2. Exclusive (used with nouns) A2 formal

   Denoting that something belongs exclusively to a particular person or group.

   • That is only my responsibility, not yours.
   • The club is only for members over 21.
   • Only the manager can approve the expense report.

   ruИсключительный (используется с существительными)esexclusivofrExclusif (avec des noms)deAusschließlich (mit Substantiven verwendet)ptExclusivo (usado com substantivos)zh专有的（用于名词）arخاص وحصري (يُستخدم مع الأسماء)

   Синонимы: exclusivelonesinglesolesolitaryunique

   Антонимы: collectivecommongeneralpublicshared

3. Merely, simply A2 informal

   Used to emphasize that something is limited to a particular amount or degree; no more than.

   • It's only a small problem, nothing to worry about.
   • She was only five minutes late.
   • I have only two dollars left.

   ruТолькоessolo, meramentefrseulement, simplementdeNurptApenaszh仅仅arفقط

   Синонимы: butjustmerelysimplysolely

   Антонимы: completelyentirelyfullywholly

4. Unique (as a characteristic) B1 formal

   Describing something that is distinctive or unique in a particular context.

   • He has an only style of painting that sets him apart.
   • The only feature of this model is its battery life.
   • This is the only solution that meets all the criteria.

   ruУникальный (как характеристика)esÚnico (como característica)frUnique (comme caractéristique)deEinzigartig (als Eigenschaft)ptÚnico (como característica)zh唯一的（作为特征）arفريد (كصفة)

   Синонимы: exclusivelonesingularsolesolitaryunique

An adverb meaning "exclusively" or "solely," used to indicate that something is limited to a particular person, thing, or circumstance.

ruНаречие, означающее «исключительно» или «только», используемое для указания, что что‑то ограничено определённым лицом, предметом или обстоятельством.esAdverbio que significa «exclusivamente» o «solamente», usado para indicar que algo se limita a una persona, cosa o circunstancia determinada.frAdverbe signifiant « exclusivement » ou « seulement », utilisé pour indiquer que quelque chose est limité à une personne, une chose ou une circonstance particulière.deAdverb, das aussagt, dass etwas auf eine bestimmte Person, Sache oder einen bestimmten Umstand beschränkt ist; bedeutet „ausschließlich“ oder „lediglich“.ptAdvérbio que significa "exclusivamente" ou "somente", usado para indicar que algo está limitado a determinada pessoa, coisa ou circunstância.zh副词，表示“仅仅”、“只”，用以指出某事仅限于特定的人、事物或情况，不超出该范围。也可以表示“只不过”、“唯一”。arحرف/أداة تُفيد الحصر والاقتصار، أي تحديد الشيء أو الأمر بذاته دون غيره، بمعنى «لا غير» أو «فقط».

1. Exclusively, Solely A1 formal

   Indicates that something is limited to the mentioned person, thing, or circumstance and excludes all others.

   • Only John passed the exam.
   • You may bring only two guests.
   • She drinks only water with her meals.

   ruТолько, исключительноesExclusivamente, solamentefrExclusivement, uniquementdeNur, ausschließlichptSomente, exclusivamentezh仅仅，只arفقط، حصرًا

   Синонимы: aloneentirelyexclusivelyjustmerelypurelysimplysolely

2. Merely, Just A2 informal

   Used to downplay the importance, size, or extent of something; equivalent to “just”.

   • I’m only a beginner at chess.
   • It was only a minor mistake.
   • We have only five minutes left.

   ruТолькоesMeramente, solamentefrSeulement, ne... quedeNur, bloßptApenas, somentezh仅仅arفقط

   Синонимы: barelyjustmerelypurelysimplysolely

3. Temporal Restriction (Only when/only after) B1 formal

   Specifies that something can happen solely at a particular time or under a particular condition.

   • You can go out only after you finish your homework.
   • Only when the sun sets does the temperature drop sharply.
   • I will call you only if I need further information.

   ruВременное ограничение (только когда/только после)esRestricción temporal (solo cuando / solo después)frRestriction temporelledeZeitliche Einschränkung (nur wenn/nur nachdem)ptRestrição temporal (somente quando/somente depois)zh时间限制（只有…才/只有在…之后）arتقييد زمني (فقط عندما/فقط بعد)

   Синонимы: exclusivelyjustsolely

4. Intensifier in Slang (Only!) B2 slang american

   Used colloquially, especially in some dialects, to express strong approval or excitement, similar to “awesome” or “cool”.

   • You got tickets to the game? Only!
   • She just landed her first solo flight – only!
   • That skateboard trick was only!

   ruУсилитель в сленге (Only!)es¡Genial! / ¡Increíble!frAbréviation argotique de "excellent"deVerstärker im Slang (Only!)ptIntensificador na gíria (Only!)zh俚语中的强调用法（Only！）arتوكيد عامي (Only!)

   Синонимы: amazingawesomecoolexcellentfantasticgreat

Primarily an adverb or adjective in modern English, 'only' functions as a subordinating conjunction in limited but legitimate usage, introducing a clause that expresses an exception, restriction, or contrasting circumstance that prevents or modifies the action in the main clause. In this conjunctive role, 'only' is semantically equivalent to 'except that', 'but', or 'if it were not for the fact that', and typically appears in informal speech or literary contexts to convey a sense of regret, limitation, or explanatory contrast. Unlike coordinating conjunctions, conjunctive 'only' introduces a dependent clause and does not require comma punctuation when following the main clause, though stylistic commas may appear for emphasis. This usage is less frequent than the adverbial functions of 'only' and is often replaced by more explicit conjunctions in formal writing, but it remains a natural and expressive feature of colloquial and narrative English.

ruСоюз, вводящий придаточное исключения или ограничения; эквивалентен «кроме того что», «но», «если бы не»esConjunción que introduce una cláusula de excepción o limitación; equivale a ‘excepto que’, ‘pero’, ‘si no fuera por’.frConjonction introduisant une proposition d'exception ou de restriction ; équivaut à « sauf que », « mais », « si ce n'est que ».deKonjunktion, die einen Nebensatz der Ausnahme oder Einschränkung einleitet; entspricht „außer dass“, „aber“, „wenn nicht“ bzw. „es sei denn“.ptConjunção que introduz uma oração de exceção ou restrição; equivale a "a não ser que", "mas", "se não fosse por", "só que".zh引导表示例外或限制的从句的连词，相当于“除了……之外”“只不过”“要不是”。arحرف يقدّم جملة استثناء أو قصر، بمعنى «إلا أن»، «غير أن»، «لولا»، «لو لا أن».

1. Introducing an exception or limiting circumstance B2 informal

   Used as a subordinating conjunction to introduce a dependent clause that specifies an exception, obstacle, or restricting condition that prevents the action in the main clause from occurring or being fully realized. In this function, 'only' conveys the meaning of 'except that' or 'but for the fact that', creating a logical relationship where the subordinate clause explains why the main clause proposition is limited, unfulfilled, or qualified. This usage is characteristic of informal spoken English and narrative prose, where it provides a concise, conversational way to express regret, explanation, or contextual limitation. The conjunction typically follows the main clause without a comma, though punctuation may vary for stylistic emphasis.

   • I would join you for dinner, only I have to finish this report tonight.
   • She would have accepted the position, only the salary was below her expectations.
   • We could leave earlier, only the car needs repairs first.
   • He would have called, only his phone battery died during the trip.
   • They would support the initiative, only they haven't received sufficient details yet.

   ruВведение исключения или ограничивающего обстоятельстваessolo que, excepto quefrexcepté que, sauf quedeEinführung einer Ausnahme oder einschränkenden UmstandsptIntrodução de exceção ou circunstância limitantezh引出例外或限制条件arاستثناء أو شرط مانع

2. Expressing regretful contrast or explanatory qualification C1 informal

   Employed to introduce a clause that conveys a tone of regret, resignation, or explanatory nuance, where the speaker acknowledges a desired outcome while simultaneously presenting the factual circumstance that prevents it. In this pragmatic extension, conjunctive 'only' functions as a soft contrastive marker, less adversative than 'but' and more explanatory than 'however'. It is frequently used in personal narratives, casual dialogue, and reflective prose to create emotional resonance or to soften the delivery of disappointing information. The construction often implies that the speaker wishes the limiting circumstance were different, adding a layer of subjective attitude to the logical relationship between clauses.

   • I'd love to travel more this year, only my budget doesn't allow for extra expenses.
   • He would have apologized immediately, only he wasn't sure she wanted to hear from him.
   • We could finalize the deal today, only the legal team needs one more day for review.
   • She would have stayed longer at the party, only she had an early meeting the next morning.
   • They would invest in the project, only they're waiting for more market data before committing.

   ruВыражение сожалительного противопоставления или объяснительной квалификацииespero con matiz de pesarfrseulement (marqueur de contraste atténué)deAusdruck bedauernden Gegensatzes oder erklärender EinschränkungptExpressão de contraste lamentoso ou qualificação explicativazh表达遗憾的对比或解释性限定arالتعبير عن الاستدراك الأسيف أو التوضيح التعليلي