barely

Barely is an English adverb meaning “only just” or “by the smallest possible margin.” It signals that something is accomplished with a narrow margin or that something scarcely exists.

As a modifier, barely typically attaches to verbs and adjectives: examples include “barely finished,” “barely audible,” and “barely enough.” It can describe degrees of success, quantity, or perception, and it commonly expresses precariousness or a threshold that was just met rather than exceeded. In many contexts, barely emphasizes the fragility of a situation or outcome.

Etymology and history: barely derives from the adjective bare, with the adverbial suffix -ly. The word dates from the medieval period and has long been used to indicate a minimal or barely achieved result. In modern usage, it is often contrasted with scarcely, hardly, or narrowly, which carry similar meanings but with slight nuance or formality.

Usage notes: barely can convey tension, risk, or relief depending on context. In formal writing, alternatives such as scarcely or narrowly may be preferred for tone. Common collocations include barely noticeable, barely legal, barely enough, and barely making it. Though similar in meaning to related words, barely emphasizes the minimal margin required to reach a conclusion or threshold.