I could barely make out the words.
I could barely make out the words.
English
barely
ˈbɛɹ.li, ˈbɛə(ɹ).li
Meaning: by the smallest amount; only just
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Example sentences
I could barely hear her voice over the loud music.
I could barely hear her voice over the loud music.
Teenagers often use slang that their grandparents barely understand.
Teenagers often use slang that their grandparents barely understand.
The noise from the construction site was barely tolerable.
The noise from the construction site was barely tolerable.
Usage Notes
Used to emphasize that something almost did not happen or was only just possible. Similar to 'hardly' or 'scarcely'.
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