barely
adv.-
1 only just (adv.) B2 Upper Intermediateby a very small amount or margin.
by a narrow margin; only just. Often used to describe a situation where an action almost failed to occur.
ExampleThe music was so quiet that I could barely hear it from the next room.
ExampleThe marathon runner barely crossed the finish line before collapsing from exhaustion, having pushed his body to its absolute physical limit.
UsageUsually placed before the main verb or after the first auxiliary verb.
PitfallI didn't barely hear him.I barely heard him.Barely has a negative meaning, so you do not need 'not' or 'didn't' with it.
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2 almost not at all (adv.) B2 Upper Intermediateused to say that something is very small or almost nothing.
to a minimal or negligible degree; almost not at all.
ExampleHe had barely any money left in his bank account after paying the rent.
ExampleThe evidence provided was barely sufficient to support such a controversial theory, leading many experts to remain skeptical of the findings.
UsageCommonly modifies adjectives or verbs to show a lack of intensity.
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3 only a moment ago (adv.) C1 Advanced Literaryonly a very short time ago.
only just; recently. Often used with 'had' to describe an event that happened immediately before another.
ExampleWe had barely sat down to eat when the phone started ringing.
ExampleThe sun had barely risen above the horizon when the first scouts returned to camp with news of the approaching army.
UsageOften used in the construction 'had barely... when'.
From Middle English baarly, bareliche, barely, barly, from Old English bærlīċe, equivalent to bare + -ly. Compare Danish bare (“only, just”), Norwegian bare (“only, just”).