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scarcely

Meaning in simple English, pronunciation and examples

Pronunciation: US /ˈskɛrsli/ · UK /ˈskeəsli/

scarcely means: Only just, or almost not at all.

adverb

BARELYB2

Only just, or almost not at all.

  • I could scarcely hear her.
  • There was scarcely enough food for everyone.
  • Scarcely had he arrived when it began to rain.

How to use it: scarcely had someone done something when… (Scarcely had we sat down when the phone rang.)

Similar words: barely, hardly

Common phrases: scarcely enough, can scarcely hear, scarcely any

CERTAINLY NOTC1

Used to say that something is clearly not reasonable, true, or suitable.

  • That is scarcely fair.
  • You can scarcely blame her for leaving.
  • His disappointment was scarcely surprising after so much effort.

Similar words: hardly

Common phrases: can scarcely expect, scarcely surprising, scarcely fair

PROBABLY NOTC2

Used to say that something is unlikely to happen or be possible.

  • Without help, they would scarcely succeed.
  • You could scarcely find fish here without the breeding programme.
  • Such a small boat would scarcely survive that storm.

Similar words: hardly

Common phrases: would scarcely survive, could scarcely find

Questions about scarcely

What does scarcely mean?

Only just, or almost not at all.

What is scarcely in other languages?

Türkçe: zar zor · Español: apenas · Français: à peine · Deutsch: kaum · Italiano: a malapena · 日本語: かろうじて

How do you pronounce scarcely?

In American English /ˈskɛrsli/; in British English /ˈskeəsli/.

How do you use scarcely in a sentence?

I could scarcely hear her. There was scarcely enough food for everyone.

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scarcely in other languages

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