Word
solely
Phoneticssole·ly
US/ˈsoʊəɫi/
UK/sˈəʊlli/
Adverb of degree
Definition
adv. only and not involving anyone or anything else. You use this to show that there is just one reason, person, or thing involved.
adv. exclusively or only; to the exclusion of all else.
Examples
“She is solely responsible for the project's success.”
“The decision was based solely on the evidence presented during the trial, ignoring any outside rumors.”
“While the committee considered several factors, the final selection was determined solely by the candidate's previous experience in international law.”
Examples
simple
“She is solely responsible for the project's success.”
contextual
“The decision was based solely on the evidence presented during the trial, ignoring any outside rumors.”
complex
“While the committee considered several factors, the final selection was determined solely by the candidate's previous experience in international law.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “solely” in context.
Verb
01. solely attribute
“The success of the project cannot be solely attributed to one individual.”
adv + verb
02. solely base
“Decisions should not be solely based on financial considerations.”
adv + verb
03. solely concentrate
“For the next hour, I need to solely concentrate on finishing this report.”
adv + verb
04. solely depend
“The outcome of the trial will solely depend on the evidence presented.”
adv + verb
05. solely determine
“Genetic factors do not solely determine a person's health outcomes.”
adv + verb
06. solely focus
“The new curriculum will solely focus on developing practical skills.”
adv + verb
07. solely rely
“Small businesses often solely rely on local customers for their revenue.”
adv + verb
Usage
Typically placed before the adjective, adverb, or prepositional phrase it modifies; it can also follow the verb 'to be'.
Pitfall
He solely works here
He works here solely
When modifying a verb to mean 'only', it often sounds more natural at the end of the clause or immediately before the specific detail it limits.
Real-World Examples
“The trio is the first part of a planned network of 50 satellites built solely to spot wildfires while they are still small enough to stop.” “Not everyone is driven solely by Trump's treatment of Canada, with some noting that the declining Canadian dollar has also made the US less affordable.” “They treated organized crime as a system embedded in the economy rather than solely as an armed threat on the street.” “The Gazette’s coverage did not focus solely on Irish issues.” Etymology
From Middle English soly, sooly, soolly, equivalent to sole + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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