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barely noticeable
/ˈbɛərli ˈnoʊtɪsəbəl/
very slight
The difference in color was barely noticeable.
The color difference was so small that it was hard to see.
neutral
very slight or almost imperceptible
The flaw in the diamond was barely noticeable.
The diamond had a tiny flaw that was hard to see.
The change in temperature was barely noticeable.
The temperature changed so little that it was almost unnoticeable.
Used to describe something that exists but is difficult to perceive.
Collocations
barely noticeable differencea very small variationbarely noticeable effectan almost undetectable impactbarely noticeable changea very slight alteration
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Usage Tip
Use 'barely noticeable' to emphasize how small or subtle something is. It often implies that the thing exists but is difficult to perceive, rather than being completely absent.
Gold Rule
Positioning
Place 'barely noticeable' before the noun it describes (e.g., 'a barely noticeable mark') or after a linking verb (e.g., 'The mark was barely noticeable').
Word Origin
Combination of 'barely' (from Old English 'bærlic', meaning 'merely') and 'noticeable' (from Middle English 'noticen', meaning 'to take note of'). The phrase emerged in the late 19th century as a way to describe minimal perceptibility.
Usage Notes
Commonly used in contexts where precision or subtlety is important, such as quality control, scientific observations, or aesthetic evaluations. Often paired with sensory verbs like 'see,' 'hear,' or 'feel.'
Word Breakdown
barely
only just; almost not
adverbnoticeable
able to be noticed
adjectiveEnglish Dictionary