barely worn

USAGE SUMMARY

"barely worn" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It usually means that something is in very good condition, as if it has either been used for a very short time or never used at all. For example, "I found a pair of barely worn shoes at the thrift store."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

This is pristine, barely worn cashmere.

The New Yorker

Nevertheless, many guided clients who have barely worn crampons have succeeded.

The New York Times - Sports

He laughs about it now; he has barely worn any of them in San Jose's gentle climate.

The New York Times

Despite being barely worn, it was hard to sell to British consumers, especially when they could buy new from the high street for the same price.

The Guardian

For too long we've been bombarded with short films in the form of adverts that tell us it's cool to consume; cool to replace barely worn out goods with newer ones; cool to travel as far and as fast as possible.

The Guardian

So what's a girl with a barely worn pair of Balenciaga combat booties (bought at a madcap Barney's Warehouse sale) to do? Convert to cash at consignment.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

He was going through a rebellious phase, "listening to Nirvana", so he barely wore them.

The Guardian

Florence stands centre stage, resplendent and ethereal, with white swathes of material gusting between her wrists and the satin, high-cut bodice she's barely wearing.

Independent

He also barely wears it in the video for "Tomorrow," the lovely but overly polished single that advertises only a little of what Mr. Young can do.

The New York Times - Arts

"She's confused about what she wants to be: on the one hand, a Bowiesque eccentric and artist – but she's barely wearing any clothes".

The Guardian - Music

In the early years, we barely wore costumes and, even during our first New York tour, when we danced 'Poppy' at City Center, nobody batted an eyelid.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing items for sale or donation, use "barely worn" to highlight their excellent condition and increase their appeal. For example: "I am selling a "barely worn" jacket that I only wore once for a wedding."

Common error

Avoid using "barely worn" if the item shows significant signs of use, such as noticeable wear and tear or alterations. Use a more accurate description like "used" or "worn" in these cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barely worn" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun, providing information about the condition of the item being described, indicating that it has seen very little use. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "barely worn" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adjective phrase that describes items in excellent condition due to minimal use. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s a correct and usable phrase in written English. While it appears most frequently in news and media and wiki sources, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various contexts. When using "barely worn", ensure the description accurately reflects the item's condition to avoid misrepresentation. Alternatives such as "lightly used" or "almost new" can be considered for nuanced descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

like new

A common expression indicating the item appears unused.

lightly used

Replaces "worn" with "used", suggesting minimal prior use.

hardly used

Emphasizes the infrequency of use.

gently used

Adds a sense of care in the usage, implying good condition.

almost new

Shifts the focus to the item's similarity to a new product.

near mint condition

Uses collector's terminology to highlight excellent condition.

in pristine condition

Highlights the item's flawless state.

in excellent condition

Focuses on the high quality of the item's state.

with minimal wear

Expresses the idea of very little damage or aging from use.

slightly used

Indicates minimal usage, but perhaps more than "barely worn".

FAQs

How can I use "barely worn" in a sentence?

You can use "barely worn" to describe items that are in excellent condition due to minimal use. For example, "She sold her "barely worn" designer shoes online".

What is a good alternative to "barely worn"?

Alternatives to "barely worn" include "lightly used", "gently used", or "almost new", depending on the specific context and degree of wear.

Is it appropriate to use "barely worn" to describe vintage items?

While vintage items may be in good condition, "barely worn" might not be the most accurate description if the item's age is apparent. Consider using terms like "well-preserved" or "in excellent condition for its age" instead.

What does "barely worn" imply about the price of an item?

Describing an item as "barely worn" often suggests that it should be priced higher than items with more visible wear, as it retains more of its original value.