# barely

Pronunciation: say "BAIR-lee" US /ˈbɛɹ.li/, UK /ˈbɛə(ɹ).li/

## Adverb

1. To a very small degree; almost not at all.
   - Simple: Almost not at all, or hardly.
   - _The footprints were barely visible in the fading light._
   - _He barely managed to finish the climb before nightfall._
2. By a small margin; only just.
   - Simple: By only a small amount, or only just.
   - _The motion passed, barely, with a single vote to spare._
   - _She barely caught the train, sliding through the doors as they closed._
3. Only a short time ago; just now or recently.
   - Simple: A short time ago, or just now.
   - _We barely got back from vacation, so the suitcases are still sitting in the car._
   - _The store barely opened, so the shelves are still being stocked._

## Adverb

4. Only, and to no greater extent than what is stated. *(archaic)*
   - Simple: Only, and nothing more.
5. Openly and plainly, with nothing concealed. *(rare)*
   - Simple: Openly and clearly, so everyone can see.

## Origin

From Middle English barely, from Old English bærlīċe, equivalent to "bare" plus "-ly"; compare Danish and Norwegian bare ("only, just").

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/barely (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).