barely

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "barely" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adverb, and it is typically used to mean "only just" or "hardly". For example, you could say "I barely had enough time to finish the project".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Opinion

Books

Tech

Lifestyle

Travel

Business

Music

TV & Radio

World

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

My cock was barely a ghost, but I did not suffer panic.

The Guardian - Books

Revelations that Michael Jordan had lost hundreds of thousands of dollars gambling barely dented his appeal, since the story reinforced the image of him as a fierce competitor.

The Economist

Rodríguez had barely used Ramírez during the qualifiers but had come under immense pressure from fans to bring the player nicknamed 'El Pelé' to the World Cup.

The Guardian - Sport

In 2012, a bidding war for GMG Radio – the third largest radio group in the UK – resulted in Global Radio paying £70m for the barely profitable operation.

The Guardian

Kaarma's girlfriend, Janelle Pflager, said in a 911 call played for jurors Friday that Dede was lying face down and "barely breathing" after Kaarma shot him.

The Guardian

Yet for all of this effort, the polls have barely moved in months, a hung parliament looks inevitable and the manifestos have been written as coalition bargaining positions rather than binding promises.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's day four so I'm barely bleeding, but I'm still wearing a sanitary pad.

The Guardian - Opinion

The visiting back four, however, were barely threatened by a disappointing PSG side in the first half on a mild Parisian night.

The Guardian - Sport

Only once, in Brisbane in 1928-29, the match in which Donald Bradman made his debut and saw his side defeated by a barely comprehensible 675 runs, has Australia lost as heavily as this in terms of runs.

The Guardian - Sport

Some will have barely been in the sea before.

The Guardian

Gordon Brown had delivered many speeches on the referendum, but they had barely received any attention outside Scotland – until he roared into action in a speech on the evening of Monday 8 September in the small Midlothian town of Loanhead.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "scarcely" or "hardly" for stylistic variation and to avoid repetition.

Common error

While "barely" is generally acceptable, overly relying on it in highly formal writing can make your prose sound less sophisticated. Opt for more precise vocabulary when possible, such as "negligibly" or "insufficiently".

How to use

Learn how to use "barely" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The adverb "barely" primarily functions as a modifier, indicating a minimal degree or quantity. It specifies that something almost didn't happen or exists to a minimal extent. Ludwig confirms this use, showing examples where "barely" qualifies verbs and adjectives.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sport

15%

Opinion

10%

Less common in

Books

8%

Business

7%

Lifestyle

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverb "barely" is a versatile term used to indicate a minimal degree or quantity, as confirmed by Ludwig. Functioning primarily as a modifier to emphasize precariousness or insufficiency, its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media. Ludwig AI's analysis suggests that while "barely" is widely used, exploring synonyms such as "scarcely" or "hardly" can enrich your writing. Remember to use "barely" to highlight narrow margins or minimal effort, but avoid over-reliance in highly formal contexts for a more sophisticated prose. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively use "barely" to add depth and precision to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scarcely

Implies a minimal amount or degree, similar to "barely" but can sometimes carry a stronger sense of insufficiency.

hardly

Similar to "barely", indicating a very small amount or degree; often interchangeable.

only just

Emphasizes the narrowness of a margin or the slightness of an action.

just

Indicates that something happened only a short time before or is done by a very small margin.

virtually not

Indicates something is so close to not existing that it's almost as if it doesn't.

by a narrow margin

Emphasizes the small difference by which something is achieved.

almost not at all

A more explicit and descriptive way of expressing the minimal extent of something.

by a whisker

Idiomatic expression that conveys how narrowly something was achieved or avoided.

to a limited extent

Focuses on the restriction or limitation of the action or state.

in a minimal way

Highlights the reduced or insignificant nature of an action or occurrence.

FAQs

How can I use "barely" in a sentence?

You can use "barely" to indicate a small margin or degree. For example, "I "barely had enough time" to finish the report" shows there was very little time available.

What words are similar to "barely"?

Alternatives to "barely" include "scarcely", "hardly", or "just", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "barely" or "rarely"?

"Barely" means 'only just' or 'almost not at all', while "rarely" means 'not often'. For example, "I "barely slept"" (almost no sleep) vs. "I "rarely sleep past 8 am"" (not often).

What's the difference between "barely" and "nearly"?

"Barely" means 'almost not', whereas "nearly" means 'almost'. "Barely touched the food" suggests almost no food was eaten, while "nearly finished" implies close to completion.