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

The LAPD’s policy barring officers initiating contact with a person solely to determine their immigration status has been in effect since 1979.

From Los Angeles Times

"Last year I had no yield. So no farmer can depend solely on cocoa - one has to plant other trees along with it."

From BBC

Inside a vast conference hall, journalists were reminded it was the team news conference for Spain - not solely the Nadal show.

From BBC

She said that although stereotypes and barriers still exist in electing women of color, it would be “intellectually dishonest” to blame Harris’ loss solely on racism or misogyny.

From Los Angeles Times

Sometimes scammers reveal themselves during video calls, while other times they remain hidden, relying solely on audio.

From BBC

Related Words

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