scarcely

American  

[skairs-lee] / ˈskɛərs li /

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.

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scarcely British  

/ ˈskɛəslɪ /

adverb

1. hardly at all; only just

2. ironic probably not or definitely not

   that is scarcely justification for your actions

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Usage

See hardly.

Related Words

See hardly.

Etymology

Origin of scarcely

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

Example Sentences

German director Mascha Schilinski’s astonishing second feature could scarcely be more ambitious as it offers an impressionistic portrait of four young women who take turns residing in the same house over roughly 110 years.

From Los Angeles Times

One is scarcely imaginable without a coat and tie, the other tends toward muscle t-shirts and hoodies.

From The Wall Street Journal

There is scarcely a place in Ukraine that has not been targeted since Russia launched its full-scale invasion nearly four years ago.

From BBC

Now into the fifth season since her scarcely believable US Open triumph, there is no escaping that the 23-year-old needs to prove she belongs at the top of the WTA Tour.

From BBC

It would be just a few years before the Nazis rolled in and ensured there would be scarcely any more, which makes “Our Children” all the more remarkable.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• hardly
• rarely
• seldom