barely

Meanings

1. 1
   adv

   only a very short time before

   they could barely hear the speaker

2. 2
   adv

   in a sparse or scanty way

   a barely furnished room

3. 3
   adv

   By a small margin.

   I barely completed my homework. However, I got a score of 5 for it.

4. 4
   adv

   Almost not at all.

   The plane is so far away now I can barely see it.

5. 5
   adv

   Recently, just now.

   I barely got to the store.

6. 6
   adv

   Merely.

   Now that fire do's not alwayes barely separate the Elementary parts, but sometimes at least alter also the Ingredients of Bodies […]

7. 7
   adv

   Openly, clearly, plainly.

   Firſt here is the Reſurrection of our Saviour barely and poſitively affirmed, whom God hath raiſed up.

Etymology

From Middle English baarly, bareliche, barely, barly, from Old English bærlīċe, equivalent to bare + -ly. Compare Danish bare (“only, just”), Norwegian bare (“only, just”).