BARELY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does barely mean? 

• BARELY (adverb)
  The adverb BARELY has 3 senses:

1. only a very short time before

2. almost not

3. by a little

  Familiarity information: BARELY used as an adverb is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• BARELY (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Only a very short time before

Synonyms:

barely; hardly; just; scarce; scarcely

Context example:

would have scarce arrived before she would have found some excuse to leave

Sense 2

Meaning:

Almost not

Synonyms:

barely; hardly; scarce; scarcely

Context example:

we were so far back in the theater, we could barely read the subtitles

Sense 3

Meaning:

By a little

Synonyms:

barely; just

Context example:

the batter just missed being hit

 Context examples 

He drew up his legs, and the man-eater seemed no more than barely to touch one foot, sinking back into the water with a splash.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

They had barely time left over for the preparation of meals and the getting of firewood.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

He was a month's rent behind on the typewriter, which he could not pay, having barely enough for the week's board which was due and for the employment office fees.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

They could barely keep the traces taut, and on the down grades just managed to keep out of the way of the sled.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

It was barely furnished with odd things, which seemed to have never been used; the furniture was something the same style as that in the south rooms, and was covered with dust.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

You will barely have time to shake the New Year’s glitter from your hair—it will seem everyone needs you, and you’ll be happy to comply.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

Planets around other stars, called exoplanets, are barely perceptible next to their brilliant stars.

(Lone Planetary-Mass Object Found in Family of Stars, NASA)

Of questionable or minimal quality; just barely adequate or within a lower limit.

(Marginal, NCI Thesaurus)

An uterine contraction that is barely felt.

(Mild Uterine Contraction, NCI Thesaurus)

Expression of NEGF2 is predominant only for a short period from approximately one-half to two-thirds of the way through gestation; before and after that, it is barely detectable.

(Neurite Growth-Promoting Factor 2, NCI Thesaurus)