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Barely: meaning, definitions and examples

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barely

 

[ หˆberli ]

Adverb / Adjective
Context #1 | Adverb

in a limited way

Used to emphasize that something is only just true or only just the case.

Synonyms

hardly, scarcely

Examples of usage

  • I barely know him.
  • She could barely see the road through her tears.
  • We barely made it in time for the movie.
Context #2 | Adverb

in a meager way

Used to emphasize that there is very little of something.

Synonyms

just, scarcely

Examples of usage

  • He had barely enough money to pay for the meal.
  • She was barely awake after the long flight.
Context #3 | Adjective

minimal

Only just sufficient in amount; not quite adequate.

Synonyms

minimal, scant

Examples of usage

  • She made a barely audible sound.
  • He had a barely noticeable scar on his cheek.

Translations

Translations of the word "barely" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น mal

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฎเฅเคถเฅเค•เคฟเคฒ เคธเฅ‡

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช kaum

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ hampir tidak

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะปะตะดัŒ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ ledwie

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใ‹ใ‚ใ†ใ˜ใฆ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท ร  peine

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ apenas

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท zar zor

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๊ฑฐ์˜

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุจุงู„ูƒุงุฏ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ sotva

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ sotva

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅ‡ ไนŽไธ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ komaj

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ varla

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ำ™ั€ะตาฃ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒกแƒ˜แƒซแƒœแƒ”แƒšแƒ˜แƒ—

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ รงษ™tinliklษ™

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ apenas

Etymology

The word 'barely' originated from the Middle English word 'barli,' which means 'only just.' It has been used in the English language since the 15th century. The word has evolved over time to convey the sense of something being just sufficient or only just true. Its usage has become common in both spoken and written English, reflecting its versatility in expressing limited quantities or actions.

See also: bare, bareness.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,358, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.