barely
/ˈbeərli/adverb★Intermediate
informal
To a very small degree; almost not at all
The plant barely survived the drought.
The plant almost didn't survive the drought.
She could barely hear the whisper.
She could hear the whisper only with great difficulty.
💡
Often used to emphasize how minimal or difficult something is.
Collocations
barely enoughA very small amount that is just sufficientbarely manageTo do something with great difficulty
Synonyms
Antonyms
💡Pro Tip
Emphasis on difficulty
Use 'barely' to emphasize how difficult or minimal something is, often in negative or challenging contexts.
⚡Gold Rule
Avoid overuse
'Barely' should be used to emphasize minimal amounts or difficulty. Overuse can weaken its impact.
📖Word Origin
From Middle English 'barely,' from 'bare' (meaning 'naked' or 'scant') + '-ly' (adverbial suffix).
📝Usage Notes
Often used to describe situations where something is just barely possible or exists in minimal amounts.
Word Breakdown
bare
scant or minimal
root-ly
adverbial suffix
suffixEnglish Dictionary