barely

adverb

bare·​ly ˈber-lē How to pronounce barely (audio)
1
: in a meager manner : plainly
a barely furnished room
2
: scarcely, hardly
barely enough money for lunch

Examples of barely in a Sentence

We barely spoke the entire time we were in the car. There are barely any new features in this software. There is barely a difference between the two.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Others hesitate or barely touch their trays—a few flat-out refuse to eat. Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025 The loss of Elio’s parents is barely explained; his relationship with his aunt, Olga (Zoe Saldaña), is pleasant but lightweight. David Sims, The Atlantic, 15 July 2025 The actress wore a pair of Paris Texas‘ barely there Lidia mule in a nude shade. Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 15 July 2025 Lawrence was the son of a Nottinghamshire miner who could barely read and an ambitious mother who’d taught school. James Wood, New Yorker, 14 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for barely

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1513, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of barely was circa 1513

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Cite this Entry

“Barely.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barely. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.

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