only: meaning and words from its letters
4 letters · 7 letter points · starts with O · ends with Y
Meaning of only
adj
- not-comparable
Alone in a category.
Example: He is the only doctor for miles.
- not-comparable
Singularly superior; the best.
- not-comparable
Without sibling; without a sibling of the same gender.
Example: He is their only son, in fact, an only child.
- not-comparable, obsolete
Mere.
Listed forms: onely, onlie.
Source: Wiktionary — only.
adv
- not-comparable
Without others or anything further; exclusively.
Example: My heart is hers, and hers only.
- not-comparable
No more than; just.
Example: The cat only sat on the mat. It didn't scratch it.
- not-comparable
As recently as.
Example: He left only moments ago.
- not-comparable
Emphasizing something that is just or necessary.
Example: It's only fair to let him borrow your kite, after you've had his toys all day.
Listed forms: onely, onlie.
Source: Wiktionary — only.
conj
- informal
Introduces a clause with negative polarity, often one which upsets the listener's expectations. Under the condition that; but.
Example: You're welcome to borrow my bicycle, only please take care of it.
- informal
Introduces a clause with negative polarity, often one which upsets the listener's expectations. But, except; but in fact.
Example: I would enjoy running, only I have this broken leg.
Listed forms: onely, onlie.
Source: Wiktionary — only.
Adapted from Wiktionary contributors via Kaikki.org. Selected senses and forms; quotations omitted. Definition text is CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms by meaning
Words are grouped by sense, so they are not necessarily interchangeable in every context. Search synonyms for only.
adjective
being the only one; single and isolated from others
adjective
exclusive of anyone or anything else
adverb
and nothing more
adverb
without any others being included or involved
Open English WordNet Team, 2025, derived from Princeton University WordNet; selected synonym groups under CC BY 4.0. Source · OEWN notice · Princeton notice.
Is only in our word lists?
| Word list | Status |
|---|---|
| American English | Found |
| British English | Found |
| Extended English | Found |
These are spelling-list matches, not official game validity checks. Check the rules and dictionary used by your game.
Letter-value score of only
O(1) + N(1) + L(1) + Y(4) = 7 points.
This is a sum of letter values without board bonuses or word multipliers. A blank tile is worth zero: subtract the value of each letter supplied by a blank. The score does not establish game validity. Full letter-value table.
Anagrams of only
0 other standard-list words use exactly these letters, including repeated letters.
No other single-word anagram was found in our standard list.
Shorter words from only
7 shorter standard-list words can be made using no letter more often than it occurs in only. Showing up to 24, longest first.