English-only
|eng-lish-on-ly|
🇺🇸
/ˌɪŋɡlɪʃˈoʊnli/
🇬🇧
/ˌɪŋɡlɪʃˈəʊnli/
only English allowed
Etymology
'English-only' originates from Modern English, specifically the words 'English' + 'only', where 'English' meant 'of or relating to England' and 'only' meant 'sole; alone'.
'English' comes from Old English 'Englisc', from the name of the Angles (a Germanic tribe); 'only' comes from Old English 'ānlic' (from 'ān' meaning 'one'). The compound 'English-only' is a productive modern compound formed in English to describe exclusivity of language use.
Initially the separate words meant 'relating to England' and 'sole/one', and over time the compound came to mean 'exclusively English' in social, institutional, or policy contexts.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a policy, rule, or situation in which only English is permitted or expected to be used.
English-only policies in schools and workplaces often spark debate about cultural inclusion.
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Adjective 1
restricting use to the English language; permitting or requiring only English (often used to describe rules, practices, or environments).
The company introduced an English-only rule on the shop floor to improve communication.
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Last updated: 2025/10/29 04:20