only — EN↔HI

only

/ˈəʊnli ‍ˈओन्‌लि/ adj., adv., conj. (only before a noun)]

1 with no others existing or present अकेला (जहाँ कोई दूसरा न हो), एकमात्र

I was the only woman in the room.

This is the only dress we have in your size.

2 and no one or nothing else; no more than केवल, सिर्फ़ (और कोई नहीं या और कुछ नहीं; किसी से अधिक नहीं)

She only likes pop music.

I’ve only asked a few friends to the party.

3 the most suitable or the best सबसे उपयुक्त या सर्वोत्तम

It’s so cold that the only thing to do is to sit by the fire.

NOTE अंग्रेज़ी लिखते समय only को प्रायः उस शब्‍द से ‘पहले’ रखते हैं जिससे वह (अर्थ की दृष्टि से) संबंधित हो। अंग्रेज़ी बोलते समय हमें only का क्रम नहीं बदलना होता, केवल संबंधित शब्‍द पर बलाघात देना पर्याप्त है

—I only spoke to ˈRaj [I spoke to Raj and no one else].

I only ˈspoke to Raj [I spoke to Raj but I didn’t do anything else].

4 ( informal ) except that; but को छोड़करः किंतु

The film was very good, only it was a bit too long.

IDM

if only ⇨ if देखिए।

not only...but also both...and दोनों, ‘अमुक भी’ और ‘अमुक भी’

He not only did the shopping but he also cooked the meal.

only just

1 not long ago हाल ही में, कुछ ही समय पहले, अधिक समय नहीं हुआ

I’ve only just started this job.

2 almost not; hardly लगभग नहीं; मुश्किल से

We only just had enough money to pay for the meal.