Phrase guide

only son

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A sole male child, whether one among multiple siblings, or one who has no siblings.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see only, son.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • He was the only son to go to college.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

9 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 獨子 /独子 (dúzǐ) — sole male child
  • Finnish: ainoa poika — sole male child
  • Greek: μοναχογιός (monachogiós) — sole male child
  • Irish: aonmhac — sole male child
  • Irish: mac aonghine — sole male child
  • Macedonian: син единец (sin edinec) — sole male child
  • Russian: еди́нственный сын (jedínstvennyj syn) — sole male child
  • Spanish: hijo único — sole male child
  • Tagalog: uniko iho — sole male child