barely
/ˈbɛəli/To a very small degree; almost not at all
He could barely hear the whisper over the noise.
The whisper was so faint that he could hardly hear it.
The food was barely edible after the power outage.
The food was in such poor condition that it was almost inedible.
Often used to emphasize how close something was to not happening or being insufficient.
Collocations
💡Pro Tip
Emphasizing Minimal Effort
Use 'barely' to describe actions or conditions that are done with the least possible effort or that are just barely sufficient.
⚡Gold Rule
Avoid Overuse
While 'barely' is useful for emphasis, overusing it can weaken its impact. Use it sparingly for maximum effect.
📖Word Origin
From Middle English 'barely,' from 'bare' (meaning 'naked, scant') + '-ly' (adverbial suffix).
📝Usage Notes
Often used to describe situations where something is done with minimal effort or where a condition is just barely met.