Laxi Dictionary

English Dictionary

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Definition barely in British English

barely adverb

adverb
/ˈbeə(r)li/
1

used for saying that something almost does not happen or exist, or is almost not possible

Example

He was so dizzy he could barely stand.

Example

The roads were barely wide enough for two cars to pass.

Example

There was barely a scratch on his car, but mine was wrecked.

Example

a barely audible whisper

Example

He was barely able to see the road in the fog.

Synonyms and related words
almost nearly hardly
2

used for emphasizing that something happened only a very short time before something else

Example

He barely paused before jumping straight into the water.

Example

The thought had barely come to me before it was gone again.

Synonyms and related words
before first early
3

used for emphasizing how small an amount is

Example

He's barely 12 years old.

Example

They had travelled barely a third of the way.

Synonyms and related words
little few slight
Definition barely in British English