ONLY IF

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does only if mean? 

• ONLY IF (adverb)
  The adverb ONLY IF has 1 sense:

1. never except when

  Familiarity information: ONLY IF used as an adverb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ONLY IF (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Never except when

Synonyms:

only; only if; only when

Context example:

call me only if your cold gets worse

 Context examples 

Low blood pressure is a problem only if it causes dizziness, fainting or in extreme cases, shock.

(Low Blood Pressure, NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)

Each behavior is evaluated only if the individual displays the behavior.

(Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire, NCI Thesaurus)

Local fish catch could help reduce nutrient deficiencies in developing countries — but only if more of it is distributed regionally.

(Fairer fish trade could fix nutrient deficiencies in coastal countries, SciDev.Net)

On the exo-Mars, thermal escape would increase only if the increase in UV radiation were to push more hydrogen to the top of the atmosphere.

(Mars Mission Sheds Light on Habitability of Distant Planets, NASA)

I am not saying you will feel anything—only if that new moon finds something to show you, for it wants to protect you.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

In particular, an increase in X-ray and radio brightness of the supernova remnant with time, is expected only if a white dwarf merger took place.

(Trigger for Milky Way’s Youngest Supernova Identified, NASA)

Only if I see her married in my presence by a Greek priest whom I know.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Totipotent stem cells, such as the product of fertilization of an ovum and its progeny, are stem cells that have total potency to form an entire mature organism, e.g., a human being, although only if placed in a woman's uterus.

(Murine Totipotent Stem Cell, NCI Thesaurus)

They include: Eating more fruits, vegetables and grains, which are high in fiber • Drinking plenty of water and other liquids • Getting enough exercise • Taking time to have a bowel movement when you need to • Using laxatives only if your doctor says you should • Asking your doctor if medicines you take may cause constipation.

(Constipation, NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)

This applies only if the difference in the rate at which the active ingredient or moiety becomes available at the site of drug action is intentional and is reflected in the proposed labeling, is not essential to the attainment of effective body drug concentrations on chronic use, and is considered medically insignificant for the drug (21CFR320.1).

(Bioequivalence, NCI Thesaurus)