scarcely

[skairs-lee]

adverb

1. barely; hardly; not quite.

   The light is so dim we can scarcely see.

2. definitely not.

   This is scarcely the time to raise such questions.

3. probably not.

   You could scarcely have chosen better.

scarcely

/ ˈskɛəslɪ /

adverb

1. hardly at all; only just

2. ironic,  probably not or definitely not

   that is scarcely justification for your actions

Usage

See hardly.

Word History and Origins

Origin of scarcely¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English; scarce, -ly

Synonym Study

See hardly.

Example Sentences

But no matter how hard they tried, scarcely an attendee could successfully attract a kitten.

From Los Angeles Times

When the smoke went up from the Watts Riots in 1965, the San Fernando Valley scarcely knew where Watts was.

From Los Angeles Times

His first paydays in the ring were scarcely better - a few dollars here, a handful of ticket sales there.

From BBC

But there is scarcely a job with a higher level of trust required than the White House ambassador, given the two countries' links on security, defence, trade and intelligence.

From BBC

Even so, you can scarcely take your eyes off the screen.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• hardly 
• rarely 
• seldom