Scarcely: meaning, definitions and examples

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scarcely

[ ˈskɛəsli ]

^{Context #1}

in a negative sense

Only just; almost not. Used to suggest that something is unlikely or not the case.

Synonyms

almost not, barely, hardly

Examples of usage

I had scarcely put the phone down when it rang again.
She could scarcely believe her eyes when she saw the mess.
He had scarcely enough money to pay for the bus.

^{Context #2}

in a formal sense

As much as possible; very little.

Synonyms

barely, hardly

Examples of usage

He was scarcely able to contain his excitement.
They had scarcely started eating when the phone rang.

Translations

Translations of the word "scarcely" in other languages:

🇵🇹 raramente

🇮🇳 किसी तरह से

🇩🇪 kaum

🇮🇩 nyaris tidak

🇺🇦 ледве

🇵🇱 ledwie

🇯🇵 ほとんどない

🇫🇷 à peine

🇪🇸 apenas

🇹🇷 güçlükle

🇰🇷 거의 없는

🇸🇦 بصعوبة

🇨🇿 stěží

🇸🇰 ťažko

🇨🇳 几乎没有

🇸🇮 komaj

🇮🇸 varla

🇰🇿 қиындықпен

🇬🇪 ორივით არა

🇦🇿 çətinliklə

🇲🇽 apenas

Word origin

The word 'scarcely' originated from the Middle English word 'scarsly', which evolved from the Old French word 'escars' meaning 'barely'. It has been used in the English language since the 14th century. The adverb 'scarcely' has been commonly used in literature, particularly in formal and narrative contexts, to convey a sense of limitation or insufficiency.