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
After weeks of rain, record highs and more rain, the Treasure Valley finally saw some snow Saturday, if only for a few minutes and a couple of days late for the holidays.
—
Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 27 Dec. 2025
The agreement changed Iran’s international environment (if only temporarily).
—Mohammad Javad Zarif, Foreign Affairs, 22 Dec. 2025
Everyone involved in these snowflake-fluffing spectacles should be deeply embarrassed—if only the concept of shame still existed in GOP politics.
—David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025
Waiting for the first snow is a winter tradition — but what if only a single snowflake arrives?
—Katie Atkinson, Billboard, 2 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for if only
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 27 Dec. 2025
The agreement changed Iran’s international environment (if only temporarily).
—Mohammad Javad Zarif, Foreign Affairs, 22 Dec. 2025
Everyone involved in these snowflake-fluffing spectacles should be deeply embarrassed—if only the concept of shame still existed in GOP politics.
—David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025
Waiting for the first snow is a winter tradition — but what if only a single snowflake arrives?
—Katie Atkinson, Billboard, 2 Dec. 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 31 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share