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Hardly: meaning, definitions and examples

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hardly

 

[ หˆhษ‘หrdli ]

Adverb
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Adverb

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 | Adverb

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:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น dificilmente

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฎเฅเคถเฅเค•เคฟเคฒ เคธเฅ‡ (mushkil se)

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช kaum

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ hampir tidak

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะปะตะดะฒะต

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ ledwo

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใปใจใ‚“ใฉ๏ฝžใชใ„ (hotondo ~ nai)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท ร  peine

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ apenas

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท zar zor

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๊ฑฐ์˜ ~ํ•˜์ง€ ์•Š๋‹ค (geoui ~haji anhta)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุจุงู„ูƒุงุฏ (bilkaad)

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ sotva

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ sotva

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅ‡ ไนŽไธ (jฤซhลซ bรน)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ komaj

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ varla

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ำ™ั€ะตาฃ (รคriรฑ)

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ—แƒ˜แƒ—แƒฅแƒ›แƒ˜แƒก แƒแƒ  (titqmis ar)

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ รงษ™tinliklษ™

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ 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.

See also: hard, hardball, harden, hardening, harder, hardliner, hardness, hardship, hardships, hardware, hardy.

Word Frequency Rank

This word ranks #1,598, placing it within important intermediate vocabulary. Learning it will significantly improve your ability to express yourself in English.