Basic Details
Word: Barely
Part of Speech: Adverb
Meaning: Only just; by a very small amount; almost not.
Synonyms: Hardly, scarcely, just
Antonyms: Easily, plentifully, abundantly
Idioms and Phrases
- Barely a whisper: Used to describe something that is very quiet or hard to hear. Example: "She spoke in such a soft voice that it was barely a whisper."
- Barely scraping by: To manage to survive or continue by only a small margin. Example: "With so many expenses, they are barely scraping by each month."
Usage Examples
Example 1: He barely passed the exam, scoring just enough to move to the next grade.
Example 2: The cat barely escaped from the dog by jumping over the fence.
Example 3: They barely had enough time to finish their project before the deadline.
Fun Fact
The word "barely" comes from a combination of the Old English word "bare," meaning "naked" or "uncovered," and the adverbial suffix "-ly," used to form adverbs indicating a manner of action.
Famous Quote
"You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough." Mae West - This suggests that living well is more important than barely existing.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "barely" mean?
a) Very easily
b) Only just
c) Considerably
d) A lot
Answer: b) Only just
2. Which of these is a synonym of "barely"?
a) Scarcely
b) Abundantly
c) Often
d) Quickly
Answer: a) Scarcely
3. Which of the following is an antonym of "barely"?
a) Hardly
b) Just
c) Easily
d) Scarce
Answer: c) Easily
4. Which sentence uses "barely" correctly?
a) She barely knew the answer, but she guessed correctly.
b) He barely can jump higher than anyone else.
c) They barely have plenty of food left.
d) I can barely lift heavy weights every day.
Answer: a) She barely knew the answer, but she guessed correctly.
5. Which idiom means struggling to get by?
a) Barely a whisper
b) Barely scraping by
c) Like a fish out of water
d) A penny for your thoughts
Answer: b) Barely scraping by
