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
Malone has a lengthy, and detailed, prescription for what might have been, if only the industry, and sports-rights holders, had gone a different path.
—
David Bloom, Forbes, 28 Sep. 2024
Now, if only her memoir was written in the exact same style as Cher’s incredible tweets — a girl can dream.
—James Factora, Them, 27 Sep. 2024
Shake off all the ails you, if only for three minutes and 16 seconds, with this absolute party of a disco track by Parisian producer Dan Ghenacia.
—Billboard Staff, Billboard, 13 Sep. 2024
While 2024 has not shaped up to be a stellar time for the pop superstar, things may turn around—if only slightly—in a few months.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 11 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for if only 
David Bloom, Forbes, 28 Sep. 2024
Now, if only her memoir was written in the exact same style as Cher’s incredible tweets — a girl can dream.
—James Factora, Them, 27 Sep. 2024
Shake off all the ails you, if only for three minutes and 16 seconds, with this absolute party of a disco track by Parisian producer Dan Ghenacia.
—Billboard Staff, Billboard, 13 Sep. 2024
While 2024 has not shaped up to be a stellar time for the pop superstar, things may turn around—if only slightly—in a few months.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 11 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for if only
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'if only.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near if only
Cite this Entry
“If only.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/if%20only. Accessed 5 Oct. 2024.
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