Nonpareil vs. Only — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Nonpareil and Only
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Definitions
Nonpareil
Having no equal; peerless
The Yankees' nonpareil center fielder.
Only
Alone in kind or class; sole
That's the only pen I have.
Nonpareil
Designating the smallest, most flavorful variety of pickled caper.
Only
Having no siblings
An only child.
Nonpareil
A person or thing that has no equal; a paragon.
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Only
Most suitable of all; superior or excellent
This is the only way to cook a good steak.
Nonpareil
A small pellet of variously colored sugar used to decorate or give texture to sweets.
Only
Without anyone or anything else; alone
We have only two sandwiches left.
Nonpareil
A small, flat chocolate drop covered with these pellets.
Only
At the very least
If you would only come home. The story was only too true.
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Nonpareil
Unequalled, unrivalled; unique.
Only
And nothing else or more; merely; just
I was only following orders.
Nonpareil
(countable) A person or thing that has no equal; a paragon.
Only
Exclusively; solely
Facts known only to us.
Nonpareil
The blue underwing or Clifden nonpareil (Catocala fraxini), a species of moth distributed across the Palearctic; also (obsolete) any of a number of moths of other species.
Only
In the last analysis or final outcome; inevitably
Actions that will only make things worse.
Nonpareil
In full nonpareil parrot: the eastern rosella (Platycercus eximius), a species of rosella (parrot) native to southeastern Australia.
Only
With the negative or unfortunate result
Received a raise only to be laid off.
Nonpareil
The painted bunting (Passerina ciris), a brightly-coloured finch native to North America.
Only
As recently as
Called me only last month.
Nonpareil
(archaic) In full nonpareil apple: a variety of apple tasting both sweet and tart which ripens very late in the season; also, the tree producing this fruit.
Only
In the immediate past
Only just saw them.
Nonpareil
(archaic) Any of various types of small sweets.
Only
Were it not that; except that
We would have reached the summit, only the weather got bad.
Nonpareil
A small pellet of white or coloured sugar used as decoration on baked goods and candy.
Only
With the restriction that; but
You may go, only be careful.
Nonpareil
(by extension) A small, flat chocolate drop covered with such pellets of sugar, similar to a comfit.
Only
However; and yet
The merchandise is well made, only we can't use it.
Nonpareil
(by extension) A bud]] of the smallest size.
Only
Alone in a category.
He is the only doctor for miles.
The only people in the stadium were the fans: no players, coaches, or officials.
He was the only male in attendance at the boyband concert.
That was the only time I went to Turkey.
Nonpareil
The size of type between ruby and emerald (or, in the United States, between agate and minion), standardized as 6-point; (countable) a slug of this size.
Only
Singularly superior; the best.
Nonpareil
Something of unequaled excellence; a peerless thing or person; a nonesuch; - often used as a name.
Only
Without sibling; without a sibling of the same gender.
He is their only son, in fact, an only child.
Nonpareil
A size of type next smaller than minion and next larger than agate (or ruby).
Only
(obsolete) Mere.
Nonpareil
A beautifully colored finch (Passerina ciris), native of the Southern United States. The male has the head and neck deep blue, rump and under parts bright red, back and wings golden green, and the tail bluish purple. Called also painted bunting and painted finch.
Only
Without others or anything further; exclusively.
My heart is hers, and hers only.
The cat sat only on the mat. It kept off the sofa.
Nonpareil
A small sphere, less than 1 mm diamter, of colored sugar, used to decorate confections; - usually used in the plural as though the name of a substance; as, sprinkled with nonpareils.
Only
No more than; just.
The cat only sat on the mat. It didn't scratch it.
If there were only one more ticket!
Nonpareil
A type of candy chocolate consisting of a small flat disk of chocolate, less than one inch diameter, having nonpareils{4} sprinkled on the top; as, she ate a box of nonpareils at the movie.
Only
As recently as.
He left only moments ago.
Nonpareil
Having no equal; peerless.
Only
(Britain) Used to express surprise or consternation at an action.
She's only gone and run off with the milkman!
Nonpareil
Model of excellence or perfection of a kind; one having no equal
Only
Introduces a disappointing or surprising outcome that renders futile something previously mentioned.
They rallied from a three-goal deficit only to lose in the final two minutes of play.
I helped him out only for him to betray me.
Nonpareil
Colored beads of sugar used as a topping on e.g. candies and cookies
Only
(obsolete) Above all others; particularly.
Nonpareil
A flat disk of chocolate covered with beads of colored sugar
Only
(informal) Under the condition that; but.
You're welcome to borrow my bicycle, only please take care of it.
Nonpareil
Eminent beyond or above comparison;
Matchless beauty
The team's nonpareil center fielder
She's one girl in a million
The one and only Muhammad Ali
A peerless scholar
Infamy unmatched in the Western world
Wrote with unmatchable clarity
Unrivaled mastery of her art
Only
But; except.
I would enjoy running, only I have this broken leg.
She would get good results only she gets nervous.
Only
An only child.
Only
One alone; single; as, the only man present; his only occupation.
Only
Alone in its class; by itself; not associated with others of the same class or kind; as, an only child.
Only
Alone, by reason of superiority; preëminent; chief.
Only
In one manner or degree; for one purpose alone; simply; merely; barely.
And to be loved himself, needs only to be known.
Only
So and no otherwise; no other than; exclusively; solely; wholly.
Every imagination . . . of his heart was only evil.
Only
Singly; without more; as, only-begotten.
Only
Above all others; particularly.
His most only elected mistress.
Only
Save or except (that); - an adversative used elliptically with or without that, and properly introducing a single fact or consideration.
He might have seemed some secretary or clerk . . . only that his low, flat, unadorned cap . . . indicated that he belonged to the city.
Only
Being the only one; single and isolated from others;
The lone doctor in the entire county
A lonesome pine
An only child
The sole heir
The sole example
A solitary instance of cowardice
A solitary speck in the sky
Only
Exclusive of anyone or anything else;
She alone believed him
Cannot live by bread alone
I'll have this car and this car only
Only
And nothing more;
I was merely asking
It is simply a matter of time
Just a scratch
He was only a child
Hopes that last but a moment
Only
Without any others being included or involved;
Was entirely to blame
A school devoted entirely to the needs of problem children
He works for Mr. Smith exclusively
Did it solely for money
The burden of proof rests on the prosecution alone
A privilege granted only to him
Only
With nevertheless the final result;
He arrived only to find his wife dead
We won only to lose again in the next round
Only
In the final outcome;
These news will only make you more upset
Only
Except that;
It was the same story; only this time she came out better
Only
Never except when;
Call me only if your cold gets worse
Only
As recently as;
I spoke to him only an hour ago
