barely

[bair-lee]

adverb

1. only just; scarcely; no more than; almost not.

   He had barely enough money to pay for the car.

2. without disguise or concealment; openly.

   They gave the facts to him barely.

3. scantily; meagerly; sparsely.

4. Archaic.,  merely.

barely

/ ˈbɛəlɪ /

adverb

1. only just; scarcely

   barely enough for their needs

2. informal,  not quite; nearly

   barely old enough

3. scantily; poorly

   barely furnished

4. archaic,  openly

Usage

See hardly.

Word History and Origins

Origin of barely¹

First recorded before 950; Middle English; Old English bærlīce; bare ¹, -ly

Example Sentences

There has been some immediate discontent from Scottish Labour figures over this news – that after years being their sole torchbearer at Westminster, Murray has lasted barely a year as Scottish secretary.

From BBC

It will include an intimate series of never-before-seen smoke signals — cartoonish puffs of white smoke — fabricated on stretched car upholstery that Therrien made when he was dying of cancer and could barely lift a pen.

From Los Angeles Times

He might not throw as hard as he once did, barely hitting 90 mph with his fastball even on his best days.

From Los Angeles Times

And if plenty are, and the opinion polls suggest many are, would they embrace an insurgent, barely tested alternative, Reform UK?

From BBC

Having barely dipped their toes in the transfer market in Arne Slot's first summer in charge last year, Liverpool have gone in the completely opposite direction this time.

From BBC

Related Words

• almost 
• hardly 
• scarcely