WordGarden.iosolely
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /sˈəʊlli/
US
- /ˈsoʊəli/
Meanings
Adverb
only or exclusively, with nothing or no one else involved
Beyond the definition
When something happens solely because of one thing, that's the only reason it happened—no other factors were involved. It's a strong word emphasizing single causation. If you succeeded solely through hard work, then luck or help from others played no part.
Think of it like building with blocks: if a tower stands solely on one block, that's the only support holding it up! Be careful how you use it; saying something happened "solely" implies other possibilities were definitely ruled out. A detective might determine a crime occurred "solely due to negligence," meaning no malice or intent was involved—just carelessness.
The word solely means exclusively, entirely, or only. It emphasizes that something is caused by, dependent on, or related to one thing and nothing else. It's a powerful adverb used to highlight single causation or exclusive responsibility. For example: "She was motivated solely by her desire to help others" implies no personal gain influenced her actions.
Solely isn't just about reasons; it can also describe limits. "He is responsible solely for the first phase of the project" means he is not involved in later stages. It's a word that demands precision. You wouldn't say "I ate pizza solely because I was hungry" unless you were sure other factors, like craving or boredom, were not involved.
Be mindful when using solely. It can sometimes sound accusatory or dismissive if not used carefully. Saying "The accident happened solely due to his error" places all the blame on one person, potentially ignoring contributing circumstances. However, in legal or technical contexts, its precision is highly valued. A contract might state a party is "liable solely for damages resulting from their direct actions."
So, when you want to emphasize that something relies entirely on one factor and no others, solely is the word to use—but remember to wield it with clarity and consideration.
Examples
- 1
Personal blame
The problem isn't solely your fault.
- 2
Responsibility
He was held solely responsible for the error.
- Patternsolely responsible for + problem
the only person blamed for it
- 3
Grant criteria
The grant is awarded solely on financial need.
- Patternsolely on + basis
using only that as the basis
- 4
Communication
She relied solely on email to stay in touch.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Income source
Some families live solely on seasonal work for income.
- Patternlive on + income/source
get the money you need from it
- 6
Purpose
The charity exists solely to support local artists.
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- solelyadverb