Hardly: meaning, definitions and examples

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hardly

[ˈhɑːrdli ]

Definitions

^{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.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
hardly	Used when something is almost not happening or true, indicating a very small degree. It often has a negative connotation. She could hardly believe her eyes I can hardly hear you
barely	Used to show that something is true or possible, but just by a small margin. It sometimes can imply difficulty. He barely passed the exam She could barely find time to eat
scarcely	Used similarly to 'hardly', indicating that something is almost not true or possible. It has a formal tone and a negative connotation. She could scarcely breathe They have scarcely enough money to survive
just	Used to indicate something happened recently, is happening now, or will happen soon. Can also imply 'almost not' or 'exactly'. I just arrived She just missed the bus
only	Used to signify a limited amount or to emphasize something is the sole case. It often restricts the scope of a statement. There are only three cookies left He's only a child

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.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
hardly	Identical to the first instance, use 'hardly' in similar minimal or almost non-occurring situations. He could hardly wait for the holiday.
almost not	This phrase is used to imply that an action or state very nearly did not happen. It is often used in more informal contexts. He almost not made it to the meeting on time. I was almost not able to finish my homework.
scarcely	Use 'scarcely' to show that something is very rare or almost not happening. It often has a negative nuance. He could scarcely believe what he was hearing. They scarcely had enough food to last the week.
barely	Use 'barely' to show that something is happening but just by a very small margin. It usually carries a sense of minimal achievement or threshold. She barely passed the exam. They barely made it to the airport before their flight departed.
nearly	Use 'nearly' to indicate that something was close to happening, but did not fully occur. She nearly missed the train. He was nearly asleep when the phone rang.

Examples of usage

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

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from Old English, where 'heard' meant strong or firm, combined with the suffix '-ly' meaning in a certain manner.
It was first recorded in English around the late 14th century, evolving in usage over time.
The word has been used to represent a sense of something being done with difficulty, emphasizing scarcity.

Linguistics

In English grammar, 'hardly' is an adverb that often modifies verbs, describing an action that is done minimally.
It frequently causes confusion because it implies the opposite of what it seems; for instance, 'I can hardly wait' means you are eager, not actually unable to wait.
It forms antiphrasis, where the conveyed meaning is opposite to the literal interpretation, showcasing the complexity of English expressions.

Cultural Use

In literature, 'hardly' is often used to create emphasis around an uncertainty or a limitation of ability.
The phrase 'hardly working' has become a popular idiom, especially in workplace cultures, humorously suggesting one is not doing much.
It's a common term in song lyrics and poetry, conveying feelings of longing or deprivation.

Psychology

'Hardly' can reflect cognitive biases such as scarcity thinking, where individuals focus on what they lack rather than what they possess.
Using 'hardly' can impact social interactions, where expressing limited availability can lead to feelings of urgency or desperation in conversations.
It often invokes empathy in communication, as it suggests a degree of struggle or limitation in the speaker's situation.

Pop Culture

'Hardly' has appeared in numerous famous quotes and catchphrases in TV shows and movies, often highlighting someone's dramatic reaction.
Social media influencers sometimes use 'hardly' to sarcastically describe lavish lifestyles, creating humor around the concept of minimal effort.
The term features in various song titles, depicting themes of minimal love or light-hearted disappointment.

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 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.

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1595 periods
1596 director
1597 institution
1598 hardly
1599 primarily
1600 height
1601 severe
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