barely — English Dictionary

Adverb

1. By a small margin.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Examples

   I barely completed my homework. However, I got a score of 5 for it.

   It becomes, therefore, no inconsiderable part of science barely to know the different operations of mind,

   More examples (2)

   1925, Walter Anthony and Tom Reed (titles), Rupert Julian (director), The Phantom of the Opera, silent movie ‘It is barely possible you may hear of a ghost, a Phantom of the Opera!’

   As our train to Paris dashed through the labyrynthine flyovers at Porchefontaine, barely a mile from Versailles, the 75 m.p.h. limit was already almost attained.

2. Almost not at all.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Examples

   The plane is so far away now I can barely see it.

   Yes, it is barely visible.

   More examples (1)

   In contrast to what was to come, City were barely allowed any time to settle on the ball in the opening exchanges, with Ashley Young prominent and drawing heavy fouls from Micah Richards and James Milner.

3. Recently, just now.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Examples

   I barely got to the store.

4. Merely.

   Usage

   • Archaic
   • not-comparable

   Examples

   Now that fire do's not alwayes barely separate the Elementary parts, but sometimes at least alter also the Ingredients of Bodies […]

5. Openly, clearly, plainly.

   Usage

   • comparable
   • Rare

   Examples

   Firſt here is the Reſurrection of our Saviour barely and poſitively affirmed, whom God hath raiſed up.

   More examples (1)

   And the same feeling appears in the following reign; in 1380 the commons petitioned against the plurality of wars; from time to time we have seen them vigorously endeavouring to limit, direct, and audit the expenditure on the wars, and even attempting to draw distinctions between the national and royal interests in the maintenance of the fortresses of Gascony and Brittany; but when the question is put barely before them they avoid committing themselves.

   Remember, I haven’t tried to embroider; I’m just laying the facts barely before you—as barely as I can—to make what you please out of.

   More examples (2)

   The term “brief” may appear somewhat inappropriate, as the legal brief is often a bulky document, but the sense is rather that the ideas are stated barely, without elaboration or persuasive enforcement.

   Religion intervenes in the sense that it offers precepts, a code of behavior, for the guidance of believers; poetry, if written in terms of ideals and attitudes which are encompassed by religion, offers not precepts but a dramatic presentation of values. The precepts are stated barely and directly.

Adverb

1. only a very short time before

   Synonyms

   hardlyjustscarcelyscarce

   Examples

   we hardly knew them

   had scarcely rung the bell when the door flew open

2. almost not

   Synonyms

   hardlyscarcelyscarce

   Examples

   he hardly ever goes fishing

   he was scarce sixteen years old

   More examples (4)

   they scarcely ever used the emergency generator

   I can hardly hear what she is saying

   she barely seemed to notice him

   we were so far back in the theater we could barely read the subtitles

3. by a little

   Synonyms

   just

   Examples

   I only just caught the bus

   he finished the marathon in just under 3 hours

   More examples (3)

   it was barely 5 a.m.

   the network has barely 5 percent of viewers

   the batter just missed being hit