scarcely

adverb

scarce·​ly ˈskers-lē 

1

a

: by a narrow margin : only just

had scarcely rung the bell when the door flew open

—Agnes S. Turnbull

b

: almost not

could scarcely see for the fog

2

a

: certainly not

could scarcely interfere

b

: probably not

there could scarcely have been found a leader better equipped

—V. L. Parrington

Synonyms

• barely
• slightly
• just

Examples of scarcely in a Sentence

He could scarcely control his joy.

Scarcely a day goes by when they don't see or talk to each other.

He had scarcely enough money.

This is scarcely a time to laugh.

I could scarcely tell them they were wrong.

Recent Examples on the Web

Recruitment is scarcely easier – 64% of respondents say hiring staff is difficult, and more than half (55 per cent) blame high employment taxes such as National Insurance. —Philip Salter, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025

Penguins ownership scarcely makes its presence felt. —Josh Yohe, New York Times, 27 June 2025

And proficiency in basic skills among low-income students is scarcely half that of those from moderate- or high-income families. —Dan Walters, Mercury News, 20 June 2025

At a time when computers were alien to most households and new media was scarcely taught in art schools, Sandison forged his own hybrid language of software and symbolism. —Y-Jean Mun-Delsalle, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing scarcely

• hardly/scarcely than

Kids Definition

scarcely

adverb

scarce·​ly

ˈske(ə)rs-lē,

ˈska(ə)rs-

1

: by a narrow margin : only just

had scarcely made the train in time

2

a

: certainly not

could scarcely tell them they were wrong

b

: probably not

could scarcely have chosen a better leader