mere

adjective

ˈmir 

superlative merest

1

: being nothing more than

a mere mortal

a mere hint of spice

2

: having no admixture (see admixture sense 2) : pure

3

obsolete : being nothing less than : absolute

Synonyms of mere

• very
• sheer

Examples of mere in a Sentence

the mere idea of your traveling alone to Europe is ridiculous

Recent Examples on the Web

When Krick and Stagg enter the command boardroom to present their opposing cases mere hours before a decision must be made, the film slips into a type of courtroom drama of stormy exchanges from the benches, with both Stagg and Krick pulling out all the stops to get their forecasts approved. —Daniel Jonah Wolpert, NPR, 29 May 2026

The mere presence of Hezbollah fighters in the dock shattered the group’s long-standing aura of impunity in Lebanon. —Euan Ward, New Yorker, 29 May 2026

In a mere 18 months, lab tests showed a dramatic increase in microbial life. —Special To The Denver Post, Denver Post, 29 May 2026

The poster of Frazier remains up in the mud room a mere 55 years later. —Andrew Marchand, New York Times, 29 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin merus; akin to Old English āmerian to purify and perhaps to Greek marmairein to sparkle — more at morn

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for mere

• beer
• bier
• cheer
• clear
• dear
• deer
• drear
• ear
• fear
• fier
• gear
• hear

Kids Definition

mere

1 of 2 noun

ˈmi(ə)r 

: a sheet of still water : pool

mere

2 of 2 adjective

superlative merest

: being only this and nothing else : nothing more than

a mere whisper

a mere child

merely adverb

Etymology

Old English mere "lake, pool"

Middle English mere "nothing more or less than," from Latin merus "pure"