barely
/ˈbɛə.li/
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
By a small margin.
Adverb
Examples
I barely completed my homework. However, I got a score of 5 for it.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
Almost not at all.
Adverb
Examples
The plane is so far away now I can barely see it.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “barely” mean?
By a small margin.
Is “barely” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.