# not only

idiom · CEFR B1

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/not-only
Updated: 2026-04-22

## Meaning

you use this to introduce two related facts, where the second fact is even more important or surprising than the first.

## Examples

- She is not only smart but also very kind.
- The new restaurant is not only affordable but also serves the best food in the city.
- The discovery was not only unexpected but also fundamentally changed how scientists understand the evolution of this rare species.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.