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How to pronounce only
Say it like this: /ˈoʊn.li/. Listen to real recordings below and compare how it sounds in different accents.
What does only mean?
adjAlone in a category.
“He is the only doctor for miles.”
Singularly superior; the best.
“Motley's the only wear.”
Without sibling; without a sibling of the same gender.
“He is their only son, in fact, an only child.”
advWithout others or anything further; exclusively.
“I threw out only him.”
No more than; just.
“If there were only one more ticket!”
As recently as.
“He left only moments ago.”
conjIntroduces a clause with negative polarity, often one which upsets the listener's expectations.
“You're welcome to borrow my bicycle, only please take care of it.”
But, except; but in fact.
“You look like me, only shorter.”
nounAn only child.
“Sometimes, secondborns marry onlys and the conflicts are similar.”
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Pronunciations and meanings from Wiktionary via kaikki.org, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Recordings by Wikimedia Commons contributors. This page is shared under the same license.