# merely

/ˈmɪɹɫi/ (US) · /mˈiəli/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/merely
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. only or just

adverb · CEFR B2

used to say that something is only what you mentioned and nothing more.

For teachers: used to emphasize that nothing else than what is mentioned is involved; functions as a synonym for 'only' or 'just' but with a more formal tone.

- The repair wasn't expensive; it merely cost five dollars to fix the pipe.
- The witness claimed he was merely a bystander, though the prosecution argued his presence at the scene was far from accidental.

Usage: Usually placed before the word or phrase it modifies.

### 2. completely

adverb · CEFR C2 · Archaic

completely or entirely.

For teachers: used to indicate that something is absolute or total. This sense is no longer used in modern speech.

- The story he told was merely a lie from start to finish.
- In the old records, the captain described the ship's destruction as being merely by the force of the storm.

Teaching tip: This sense is found in Shakespeare and other early modern texts; learners should not use it in contemporary writing.

## Examples

- He is merely a child and does not understand.
- The new law is merely a suggestion and does not include any real punishments for those who break it.
- While the critic dismissed the painting as merely decorative, the artist insisted that the choice of colors carried a profound political message regarding the era's social instability.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.