bare

Less common meanings

6. 6
   no condomadverbslang

   Without using a condom.

   They went bare and later worried about the risk.

   Doctors warn that going bare raises the chance of infection.

   UsageUsually go bare. In formal writing, say without a condom.

   Similarbareback

   Note
7. 7
   heaps ofadjectivedialectalMulticultural London EnglishYorkshire

   A large number or amount of something.

   Like the word 'loads' when you mean a very big amount.

   There were bare people waiting outside the store.

   She had bare homework to finish before the weekend.

   UsageUse bare people or bare money, without of after bare.

8. 8
   veryadverbdialectalMulticultural London English

   Used to mean very or extremely.

   Like saying 'really' to show that something is a lot.

   It's bare cold outside today, so wear a coat.

   That movie was bare long and I almost fell asleep.

   UsageCompare bare cold (very cold) with bare people (a lot of people).

   Similarreally, very, well, dead, proper

9. 9
   worn thinadjective

   So worn out that it is thin and almost falling apart.

   The old rug was bare in the middle where everyone walked.

   His coat had worn bare at the elbows.

   UsageSay worn bare.

   Similarshabby, worn

   Note
10. 10
    surfacenoun

    The outside surface of something, or skin that has nothing covering it.

    Vancha clasped the bare of my neck and squeezed amiably.

    2002, Darren Shan, Hunters of the dusk: 7Here, the bare of my neck means the skin or surface of my neck.

    Note
11. 11
    only justadverbdialectal

    Only just, or almost not at all.

    “I've bare enough for these two, much less fill your belly.”

    2011, Elizabeth Vaughan, Warprize

    The fiend had bare departed when Ailie came over the threshold to find the auld carline glunching over the fire.

    1902, John Buchan, The Outgoing of the Tide

    Similarhardly, scarcely, just

    Note
12. 12
    carriedverbobsolete

    Past tense of bear. An old form once used for carrying or holding something in the past.

    And the children of the Levites bare the ark of God upon their shoulders with the staves thereon

    1611, The Holy Bible, King James VersionHere, bare means carried, an old past tense of bear.

    And so I put thee on my shoulder and bare thee back, and here thou art in David's room, and shalt find board and bed with me as long as thou hast mind to

    [1898], J[ohn] Meade Falkner, MoonfleetHere, bare means carried, an old past tense of bear.

    Note
13. 13
    adjective

    Not protected by insurance.
14. 14
    noun

    The part of a roof tile or slate that is open to the weather.