solely

[ sohl-lee ]

adverb

1. as the only one or ones:

   solely responsible.

2. exclusively or only:

   plants found solely in the tropics.

3. merely:

   She wanted solely to get out of the house for a while.

solely

/ ˈsəʊllɪ /

adverb

1. only; completely; entirely
2. without another or others; singly; alone
3. for one thing only

Word History and Origins

Origin of solely¹

First recorded in 1485–95; sole ¹ + -ly

Example Sentences

Instead, he is cruelly jailed solely for the peaceful expression of his beliefs.

From The Daily Beast

Winners are solely responsible for any and all federal, state, and local taxes and/or fees that may be incurred.

From The Daily Beast

Winners will be solely responsible for any and all local, state, and federal taxes, and/or fees that may be incurred.

From The Daily Beast

Half a century ago the family tree was consigned solely to paper.

From The Daily Beast

As a result, American and British prisoners are almost solely reliant on dangerous military efforts to free them.

From The Daily Beast

Solely over one man therein thou hast quite absolute control.

From Project Gutenberg

Fiddle-cases seem to have been used almost solely for travelling purposes.

From Project Gutenberg

The American casualties that day, due solely to the morning skirmishes, amounted to four killed and thirty wounded.

From Project Gutenberg

Our solicitude was now required solely for Joe, whose head was too deeply buried to be exhumed with so much facility.

From Project Gutenberg

It is wrong to imagine that the obligation comes solely from the will of those who vow.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• completely
• entirely
• exclusively
• individually
• merely
• purely
• simply
• single-handedly
• totally
• wholly