Pronunciation: [ˈə͡ʊnliəst] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "onliest" is often debated. It is a nonstandard word for "only" and is mainly used in informal speech. The spelling "onliest" is based on the standard pronunciation of "only" with the addition of the suffix "-est." It is pronounced /ˈɔn.li.ɪst/ according to the IPA phonetic transcription. However, many English speakers consider it a colloquialism and prefer to use the standard spelling of "only" instead.
"Onliest" is a colloquial term derived from the blending of the words "only" and "est," created to convey the concept of extreme singularity or uniqueness. It is primarily used in certain dialects or regional variants of English.
The term "onliest" functions as an adjective to describe something or someone as the absolute or sole example in a given context. It highlights an unparalleled exclusivity that sets it apart from any other, emphasizing its exceptional nature. "Onliest" signifies supreme individuality or distinctiveness, denoting that there is no other comparable or equivalent entity or person.
Its usage tends to connote a sense of pride and admiration for the person or object being described. For instance, one might say, "He is her onliest love," indicating that the person mentioned occupies a position of utmost importance in the individual's affections, with no other love interest competing.
Due to its informal nature, "onliest" is typically found in spoken language and casual writing. It is less commonly used in formal or academic contexts. Consequently, its presence may vary across different variations of English and localized dialects.
The word "onliest" is derived from the phrase "one" with the suffix "-liest".
The Old English word "ān" referred to "one". Over time, the suffix "-liest" was added to words to indicate the superlative form. For example, "loveliest" is the superlative form of "lovely". Similarly, the word "onliest" was formed by adding the suffix "-liest" to "one".
Therefore, "onliest" means "the most single" or "the absolute only one". However, it is worth noting that "onliest" is considered to be a non-standard word and is predominantly used in colloquial speech or informal writing. The standard and more widely accepted term is "only".
