mere

1 of 4

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

mere

2 of 4

noun (1)

chiefly British

: an expanse of standing (see standing entry 1 sense 2) water : lake, pool

… had seen several boats on an inland mere …

—Yale Review

mere

3 of 4

noun (2)

: boundary

also : landmark

-mere

4 of 4

noun combining form

: part : segment

metamere

Synonyms of mere

Adjective

• very
• sheer

Noun (1)

• puddle
• pool

Examples of mere in a Sentence

Adjective

the mere idea of your traveling alone to Europe is ridiculous

Noun (1)

one of the most scenic meres in England's Lake District

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Strand shares that the mere thought of replacing a roof shortly after moving in can be overwhelming for buyers and is often what leads to lower offers or buyers walking away all together. —Maria Sabella, The Spruce, 10 Jan. 2026

The decoration and style of their dress came to them in dreams under the influence of ayahuasca, one of the younger men explained, because everything should have a meaning, a significance, beyond mere decoration. —Stanley Stewart, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026

Her death comes just one month after two instances of Black mothers being dismissed or delayed at hospitals went viral — one mother gave birth on the side of the highway, another had her baby a mere 12 minutes after being admitted. —Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026

Solomon’s Knot served as a symbol of protection against bad luck, implying the floor held a function beyond mere decoration, though this has yet to be confirmed. —Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 10 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

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

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English — more at marine

Noun (2)

Middle English, from Old English mǣre; akin to Old Norse landamæri borderland

Noun combining form

French -mère, from Greek meros part — more at merit entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

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

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

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

Noun

Old English mere "lake, pool"

Adjective

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