Hardly: meaning, definitions and examples

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hardly

[ ˈhɑːrdli ]

^{Context #1}

in a difficult manner

With great difficulty or effort; barely. Used to emphasize a minimal degree of quantity, frequency, intensity, etc.

Synonyms

barely, just, only, scarcely

Examples of usage

He could hardly walk after the long journey.
I can hardly hear you, speak up!

^{Context #2}

almost not

Almost not at all; scarcely.

Synonyms

almost not, barely, nearly, scarcely

Examples of usage

I hardly know her, we've only met once.
They hardly ever go out in the evenings.

Translations

Translations of the word "hardly" in other languages:

🇵🇹 dificilmente

🇮🇳 मुश्किल से (mushkil se)

🇩🇪 kaum

🇮🇩 hampir tidak

🇺🇦 ледве

🇵🇱 ledwo

🇯🇵 ほとんど～ない (hotondo ~ nai)

🇫🇷 à peine

🇪🇸 apenas

🇹🇷 zar zor

🇰🇷 거의 ~하지 않다 (geoui ~haji anhta)

🇸🇦 بالكاد (bilkaad)

🇨🇿 sotva

🇸🇰 sotva

🇨🇳 几乎不 (jīhū bù)

🇸🇮 komaj

🇮🇸 varla

🇰🇿 әрең (äriñ)

🇬🇪 თითქმის არ (titqmis ar)

🇦🇿 çətinliklə

🇲🇽 apenas

Word origin

The adverb 'hardly' originated from the Middle English word 'hardli', which meant 'with difficulty'. Over time, the meaning evolved to also include 'scarcely' or 'almost not'. The usage of 'hardly' has been recorded in English literature for centuries, dating back to the 14th century. It has remained a common adverb in modern English, used to indicate a minimal degree or almost non-existent quantity.