Scarcely - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Definition:
Only just; almost not, indicating minimal amount or degree.
Synonyms:
barely, hardly, only just, almost not
Part of Speech:
adverb
Antonyms:
abundantly, plentifully, copiously
Common Collocations:
scarcely any, scarcely believe, scarcely noticeable, scarcely enough
Derivatives:
scarce, scarcity
Usage Tips:
Use "scarcely" to emphasize how little something happens or exists; often paired with "when" for past events.
Common Phrases:
scarcely a day goes by, scarcely able to believe, scarcely any time left
Etymology:
Derived from Middle English "scarce," from Old French "escars," meaning limited or insufficient.
Examples:
- 1. She scarcely had time to eat breakfast before leaving.
- 2. He could scarcely believe his eyes when he saw the surprise.
- 3. There was scarcely any food left after the party.
- 4. Scarcely had she sat down when the phone rang again.