if only
idiom
—used to talk about something that one wants to happen or be true
If only she loved me in return!
If only it would stop raining.
Examples of if only in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
There is no point in the enormous gun variety in the game if only a handful are viable.
—
Erik Kain, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
The rare moment of bipartisanship One of the few, if only, times Democrats clapped during Trump’s speech came when the president referenced the parents of Laken Riley.
—Savannah Kuchar, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025
Some of the more anxious among us (OK, me) might even push that to pre-spring, as in late February or early March, if only to provide a beacon of hope during the year’s gloomiest months.
—Mary McNamara, The Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2025
Weed-control-only products for your lawn type can be used if only fertilizer was applied.
—Tom MacCubbin, Orlando Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for if only
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Erik Kain, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
The rare moment of bipartisanship One of the few, if only, times Democrats clapped during Trump’s speech came when the president referenced the parents of Laken Riley.
—Savannah Kuchar, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025
Some of the more anxious among us (OK, me) might even push that to pre-spring, as in late February or early March, if only to provide a beacon of hope during the year’s gloomiest months.
—Mary McNamara, The Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2025
Weed-control-only products for your lawn type can be used if only fertilizer was applied.
—Tom MacCubbin, Orlando Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for if only
Cite this Entry
“If only.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/if%20only. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.
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