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
• hardly
• just
• marginally
• narrowly
• slightly

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

That was scarcely above the £162.4m earned back in 2017. —Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025

The Detroit Pistons had a catastrophic 2023-24 season; a low point words can scarcely capture. —C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 19 Apr. 2025

The Atlantic wind has become increasingly cold, but Brianna seems scarcely to notice. —Joyce Carol Oates, The New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2025

Still, those factors can scarcely hide a serious lack of conviction or originality in this Lionsgate release, which arrives in theaters, digital and on-demand platforms April 11. —Dennis Harvey, Variety, 11 Apr. 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