if only

American  

[if ohn-lee] / ˌɪf ˈoʊn li /

idiom

1. (used to express a wish or regret).

2. (used before a reason why someone is doing something, to express that the reason may be a trivial one.)

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if only More Idioms  

1. I wish that. For example, If only I had known you were coming I would have met your plane, or If only it would snow on Christmas Eve. [c. a.d. 1000] For a synonym, see would that.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

if only

Is there a chance someone might overtake it, if only for a moment?

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 27, 2026

Tourists hauled their suitcases over the doorstep into the fray, fresh off a flight or rushing to make one, if only they could get one last chicken finger first.

From Slate ● Aug. 24, 2026

There are so many dark stories about child stars that make us wonder what might have been, if only.

From Salon ● Aug. 19, 2026

In my newfound visibility, I doubled down on the style that concealed something — anything — about me, if only a few inches of forehead.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026

Time to speak up, if only to save Mama some face.

From "A Place at the Table" by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan

Related Words

• therefore