adverb
Common
solely
SOHL-lee
Solely (adverb) means Only, exclusively, and nothing more. Example: “This room is solely for the use of people who work in the lab.”
adverb
1
Only, exclusively, and nothing more.
"This room is solely for the use of people who work in the lab."
"The decision rests solely with the board of directors."
"He was hired solely for his technical expertise."
How to use solely
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUsed to stress that only one thing, person, or reason is involved, with nothing else.
Common pairings
solely responsible
solely because
solely on
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This room is _____ for the use of people who work in the lab.
Etymology
From Middle English soly, built from sole ("only, single") plus -ly.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for solely
See all rhymes for solely →Frequently asked questions
What does “solely” mean?
The word “solely” means only, exclusively, and nothing more. In plain terms, used to stress that only one thing, person, or reason is involved, with nothing else.
How do you pronounce “solely”?
“Solely” is pronounced SOHL-lee (/ˈsoʊl.li/ in IPA).
How do you use “solely” in a sentence?
Here is “solely” used in a sentence: “The decision rests solely with the board of directors.”
What part of speech is “solely”?
“Solely” is an adverb.
Where does the word “solely” come from?
The word “solely” comes from Middle English. From Middle English soly, built from sole ("only, single") plus -ly.
Is “solely” a common word?
“Solely” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between "solely" and "only"?
"Solely" and "only" both mean exclusively and nothing more, and are often interchangeable. "Solely" tends to sound more formal and emphatic, and it usually stresses that there is a single cause, person, or purpose involved, as in "responsible solely for finance."
Are "solely" and "soley" the same word?
No; "soley" is simply a misspelling. The correct spelling is "solely," formed from "sole" plus "-ly," and it keeps the "e" from "sole," which is why it is written with the letters s-o-l-e-l-y.
What is the difference between "solely" and "mainly"?
"Solely" means only and nothing else at all, leaving no other factors involved, while "mainly" means for the most part but allows for other contributing factors. "Funded solely by donations" means donations are the sole source, whereas "funded mainly by donations" allows for smaller additional sources.
