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

He could scarcely dream of ever approaching it.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

The away end up in the gods could scarcely believe it - even though this side are making a habit of scoring late goals.

Read more on BBC

As for the long-term consequences of such a dramatic reversal — or implosion or willful destruction — in America’s relationship to the rest of the world, they are scarcely imaginable.

Read more on Salon

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

Read more on Los Angeles Times

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

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• hardly 
• rarely 
• seldom