The difference between Lone and Only

When used as adjectives, lone means solitary, whereas only means alone in a category.


Only is also noun with the meaning: an only child.

Only is also conjunction with the meaning: under the condition that.

Only is also adverb with the meaning: without others or anything further.

check bellow for the other definitions of Lone and Only

  1. Lone as an adjective:

    Solitary; having no companion.

    Examples:

    "a lone traveler or watcher"

  2. Lone as an adjective:

    Isolated or lonely; lacking companionship.

  3. Lone as an adjective:

    Sole; being the only one of a type.

  4. Lone as an adjective:

    Situated by itself or by oneself, with no neighbours.

    Examples:

    "a lone house;  a lone isle"

  5. Lone as an adjective (archaic):

    Unfrequented by human beings; solitary.

  6. Lone as an adjective (archaic):

    Single; unmarried, or in widowhood.

  1. Only as an adjective:

    Alone in a category.

    Examples:

    "He is the only doctor for miles."

    "The only people in the stadium were the fans: no players, coaches, or officials."

    "That was the only time I went to Turkey."

  2. Only as an adjective:

    Singularly superior; the best.

    Examples:

    "He is the only trombonist to recruit."

  3. Only as an adjective:

    Without sibling; without a sibling of the same gender.

    Examples:

    "He is their only son, in fact, an only child."

  4. Only as an adjective (obsolete):

    Mere.

  1. Only as an adverb:

    Without others or anything further; exclusively.

    Examples:

    "My heart is hers, and hers only. The cat sat only on the mat. It kept off the sofa."

  2. Only as an adverb:

    No more than; just.

    Examples:

    "The cat only sat on the mat. It didn't scratch it. If there were only one more ticket!"

  3. Only as an adverb:

    As recently as.

    Examples:

    "He left only moments ago."

  4. Only as an adverb (obsolete):

    Above all others; particularly.

  1. Only as a noun:

    An only child.

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