only
adverb (FEEL SORRY) /ˈəʊn.li/
/ˈoʊn-/ Definition
› used to show that you feel sorry about something that cannot happen when explaining why it cannot happen: I'd love to go to Australia. I only wish I could afford to.Sadness and regret I only hope/wish (that) B2 used to emphasize what you are hoping or wishing for: I only hope you know what you're doing. I only wish that they would keep in touch more regularly.
(Definition of only adverb (FEEL SORRY) from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus
© Cambridge University Press)
Browse the Dictionary
Browse the Thesaurus
More Results for “only”
SMART Thesaurus
Synonyms and related words:
- (that) Monday morning feeling idiom
- a heavy heart idiom
- be/weigh on your conscience idiom
- bitter adjective (ANGRY)
- bring a lump to your throat idiom
- compunction noun
- grief noun
- guilt noun (FEELING)
- guilt trip noun
- guilt-trip verb
- heartache noun
- heartbreak noun
- melancholy noun
- mourning noun
- self-pity noun
- sick to your stomach idiom
- slough noun (SADNESS)
- sorrow noun
- sting noun (HURT)
- turn the clock back idiom
Topic:
Sadness and regret
Word of the Day
Blog
Read our blog about how the English language behaves.
New Words
Find words and meanings that have just started to be used in English, and let us know what you think of them.
