Alone vs. Only — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Alone and Only
ADVERTISEMENT
Definitions
Alone➦
Having no one else present; on one's own
She was alone that evening
He lives alone
Only➦
Alone in kind or class; sole
That's the only pen I have.
Alone➦
Indicating that something is confined to the specified subject or recipient
He is answerable to Parliament alone
It was a smile for him alone
Only➦
Having no siblings
An only child.
Alone➦
Having no one else present; on one's own
He lives alone
She was alone that evening
Only➦
Most suitable of all; superior or excellent
This is the only way to cook a good steak.
ADVERTISEMENT
Alone➦
Indicating that something is confined to the specified subject or recipient
He is answerable to Parliament alone
It was a smile for him alone
Only➦
Without anyone or anything else; alone
We have only two sandwiches left.
Alone➦
Being apart from others; solitary.
Only➦
At the very least
If you would only come home. The story was only too true.
Alone➦
Being without anyone or anything else; only.
Only➦
And nothing else or more; merely; just
I was only following orders.
ADVERTISEMENT
Alone➦
Considered separately from all others of the same class.
Only➦
Exclusively; solely
Facts known only to us.
Alone➦
Being without equal; unique.
Only➦
In the last analysis or final outcome; inevitably
Actions that will only make things worse.
Alone➦
Without others
Sang alone while the choir listened.
Only➦
With the negative or unfortunate result
Received a raise only to be laid off.
Alone➦
Without help
Carried the suitcases alone.
Only➦
As recently as
Called me only last month.
Alone➦
Exclusively; only
The burden of proof rests on the prosecution alone.
Only➦
In the immediate past
Only just saw them.
Alone➦
By oneself, solitary.
I can't ask for help because I am alone.
Only➦
Were it not that; except that
We would have reached the summit, only the weather got bad.
Alone➦
Lacking peers who share one's beliefs, experiences, practices, etc.
Senator Craddock wants to abolish the estate tax, and she's not alone.
I always organize my Halloween candy before eating it. Am I alone in this?
Only➦
With the restriction that; but
You may go, only be careful.
Alone➦
(obsolete) Apart from, or exclusive of, others.
Only➦
However; and yet
The merchandise is well made, only we can't use it.
Alone➦
(obsolete) Mere; consisting of nothing further.
Only➦
Alone in a category.
He is the only doctor for miles.
The only people in the stadium were the fans: no players, coaches, or officials.
He was the only male in attendance at the boyband concert.
That was the only time I went to Turkey.
Alone➦
(obsolete) Unique; rare; matchless.
Only➦
Singularly superior; the best.
Alone➦
By oneself; apart from, or exclusive of, others; solo.
She walked home alone.
Only➦
Without sibling; without a sibling of the same gender.
He is their only son, in fact, an only child.
Alone➦
Without outside help.
The job was too hard for me to do alone.
Only➦
(obsolete) Mere.
Alone➦
Not permitting anything further; exclusively.
The president alone has the power to initiate a nuclear launch.
Only➦
Without others or anything further; exclusively.
My heart is hers, and hers only.
The cat sat only on the mat. It kept off the sofa.
Alone➦
Not requiring anything further; merely.
Oral antibiotics alone won't clear the infection.
Only➦
No more than; just.
The cat only sat on the mat. It didn't scratch it.
If there were only one more ticket!
Alone➦
(hence) Used to emphasize the size or extent of something by selecting a subset.
Her wardrobe is huge. She has three racks for blazers alone.
The first sentence alone sold me on the book.
Only➦
As recently as.
He left only moments ago.
Alone➦
Quite by one's self; apart from, or exclusive of, others; single; solitary; - applied to a person or thing.
Alone on a wide, wide sea.
It is not good that the man should be alone.
Only➦
(Britain) Used to express surprise or consternation at an action.
She's only gone and run off with the milkman!
Alone➦
Of or by itself; by themselves; without any thing more or any one else; without a sharer; only.
Man shall not live by bread alone.
The citizens alone should be at the expense.
Only➦
Introduces a disappointing or surprising outcome that renders futile something previously mentioned.
They rallied from a three-goal deficit only to lose in the final two minutes of play.
I helped him out only for him to betray me.
Alone➦
Sole; only; exclusive.
God, by whose alone power and conversation we all live, and move, and have our being.
Only➦
(obsolete) Above all others; particularly.
Alone➦
Hence; Unique; rare; matchless.
Only➦
(informal) Under the condition that; but.
You're welcome to borrow my bicycle, only please take care of it.
Alone➦
Solely; simply; exclusively.
Only➦
But; except.
I would enjoy running, only I have this broken leg.
She would get good results only she gets nervous.
Alone➦
Isolated from others;
Could be alone in a crowded room
Was alone with her thoughts
I want to be alone
Only➦
An only child.
Alone➦
Lacking companions or companionship;
He was alone when we met him
She is alone much of the time
The lone skier on the mountain
A lonely fisherman stood on a tuft of gravel
A lonely soul
A solitary traveler
Only➦
One alone; single; as, the only man present; his only occupation.
Alone➦
Exclusive of anyone or anything else;
She alone believed him
Cannot live by bread alone
I'll have this car and this car only
Only➦
Alone in its class; by itself; not associated with others of the same class or kind; as, an only child.
Alone➦
Radically distinctive and without equal;
He is alone in the field of microbiology
This theory is altogether alone in its penetration of the problem
Bach was unique in his handling of counterpoint
Craftsmen whose skill is unequaled
Unparalleled athletic ability
A breakdown of law unparalleled in our history
Only➦
Alone, by reason of superiority; preëminent; chief.
Alone➦
Without any others being included or involved;
Was entirely to blame
A school devoted entirely to the needs of problem children
He works for Mr. Smith exclusively
Did it solely for money
The burden of proof rests on the prosecution alone
A privilege granted only to him
Only➦
In one manner or degree; for one purpose alone; simply; merely; barely.
And to be loved himself, needs only to be known.
Alone➦
Without anybody else;
The child stayed home alone
He flew solo
Only➦
So and no otherwise; no other than; exclusively; solely; wholly.
Every imagination . . . of his heart was only evil.
Only➦
Singly; without more; as, only-begotten.
Only➦
Above all others; particularly.
His most only elected mistress.
Only➦
Save or except (that); - an adversative used elliptically with or without that, and properly introducing a single fact or consideration.
He might have seemed some secretary or clerk . . . only that his low, flat, unadorned cap . . . indicated that he belonged to the city.
Only➦
Being the only one; single and isolated from others;
The lone doctor in the entire county
A lonesome pine
An only child
The sole heir
The sole example
A solitary instance of cowardice
A solitary speck in the sky
Only➦
Exclusive of anyone or anything else;
She alone believed him
Cannot live by bread alone
I'll have this car and this car only
Only➦
And nothing more;
I was merely asking
It is simply a matter of time
Just a scratch
He was only a child
Hopes that last but a moment
Only➦
Without any others being included or involved;
Was entirely to blame
A school devoted entirely to the needs of problem children
He works for Mr. Smith exclusively
Did it solely for money
The burden of proof rests on the prosecution alone
A privilege granted only to him
Only➦
With nevertheless the final result;
He arrived only to find his wife dead
We won only to lose again in the next round
Only➦
In the final outcome;
These news will only make you more upset
Only➦
Except that;
It was the same story; only this time she came out better
Only➦
Never except when;
Call me only if your cold gets worse
Only➦
As recently as;
I spoke to him only an hour ago
