6 PHRASE If you describe an agreement or a relationship as a one-way street , you mean that only one of the sides in the agreement or relationship is offering something or is benefitting from it. □ The experience of the last 10 years has shown that, for the Eurosceptics, loyalty is a one-way street; something you demand but do not give. □ So trade between the two nations has been something of a one-way street, with Cuba deriving the benefit.
o ne-woman ADJ [ADJ n] A one-woman performance or business is done by only one woman, rather than by several people. □ She has already presented a one-woman show of her paintings.
on|going /ɒ ngoʊ I ŋ/ ADJ An ongoing situation has been happening for quite a long time and seems likely to continue for some time in the future. □ There is an ongoing debate on the issue. □ That research is ongoing.
on|ion /ʌ njən/ (onions ) N‑VAR An onion is a round vegetable with a brown skin that grows underground. It has many white layers on its inside which have a strong, sharp smell and taste. □ It is made with fresh minced meat, cooked with onion and a rich tomato sauce.
on|line ◆◇◇ /ɒ nla I n/ also on-line
1 ADJ If a company goes online , its services become available on the internet. [BUSINESS , COMPUTING ] □ …the first bank to go online. □ …an online shopping centre. □ …an online catalogue.
2 ADJ If you are online , your computer is connected to the internet. Compare offline . [COMPUTING ] □ You can chat to other people who are online. ● ADV [ADV after v] Online is also an adverb. □ …the cool stuff you find online.
3 on line → see line
on|looker /ɒ nlʊkə r / (onlookers ) N‑COUNT An onlooker is someone who watches an event take place but does not take part in it. □ A handful of onlookers stand in the field watching.
only ◆◆◆ /oʊ nli/ In written English, only is usually placed immediately before the word it qualifies. In spoken English, however, you can use stress to indicate what only qualifies, so its position is not so important. 1 ADV [ADV before v] You use only to indicate the one thing that is true, appropriate, or necessary in a particular situation, in contrast to all the other things that are not true, appropriate, or necessary. □ Only the President could authorize the use of the atomic bomb. □ Only here were the police visible in any strength at all. □ 44-year-old woman seeks caring, honest male for friendship and fun. Genuine replies only. □ A business can only be built and expanded on a sound financial base.
2 ADV You use only to introduce the thing which must happen before the thing mentioned in the main part of the sentence can happen. □ The lawyer is paid only if he wins. □ The Bank of England insists that it will cut interest rates only when it is ready.
3 ADJ If you talk about the only person or thing involved in a particular situation, you mean there are no others involved in it. □ She was the only woman in the company's legal department. □ My cat Gustaf was the only thing I had - the only company.
4 ADJ [ADJ n] An only child is a child who has no brothers or sisters.
5 ADV [ADV before v] You use only to indicate that something is no more important, interesting, or difficult, for example, than you say it is, especially when you want to correct a wrong idea that someone may get or has already got. □ At the moment it is only a theory. □ 'I'm only a sergeant,' said Clements. □ Don't get defensive, Charlie. I was only joking.
6 ADV You use only to emphasize how small an amount is or how short a length of time is. [EMPHASIS ] □ Child car seats only cost about £10 a week to hire. □ …spacecraft guidance systems weighing only a few grams. □ I've only recently met him.
7 ADV [ADV n] You use only to emphasize that you are talking about a small part of an amount or group, not the whole of it. [EMPHASIS ] □ These are only a few of the possibilities. □ Only a minority of the people supported the Revolution.
8 ADV Only is used after 'can' or 'could' to emphasize that it is impossible to do anything except the rather inadequate or limited action that is mentioned. [EMPHASIS ] □ For a moment I could say nothing. I could only stand and look. □ The police can only guess at the scale of the problem.
9 ADV [ADV before v] You can use only in the expressions I only wish or I only hope in order to emphasize what you are hoping or wishing. [EMPHASIS ] □ I only wish he were here now that things are getting better for me.
10 CONJ Only can be used to add a comment which slightly changes or limits what you have just said. [INFORMAL ] □ It's just as dramatic as a film, only it's real. □ Drop in and see me when you're ready. Only don't take too long about it.
11 CONJ Only can be used after a clause with 'would' to indicate why something is not done. [SPOKEN ] □ I'd invite you to come with me, only it's such a long way. □ I'd be quite happy to go. Only I don't know what my kids would say about living there.
12 ADV [ADV to-inf] You can use only before an infinitive to introduce an event which happens immediately after one you have just mentioned, and which is rather surprising or unfortunate. □ Ryle tried the Embassy, only to be told that Hugh was in a meeting. □ He raced through the living room, only to find the front door closed.
13 ADV [usu ADV adj] You can use only to emphasize how appropriate a certain course of action or type of behaviour is. [EMPHASIS ] □ It's only fair to let her know that you intend to apply. □ She appeared to have changed considerably, which was only to be expected.