different between blithely vs barely

English

Etymology

From Middle English blythely, blyþely, bliþeliche, from Old English bl?þel??e (“gladly, blithely”), equivalent to blithe +? -ly.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation, US) IPA^(key): /?bla?ðli/

Adverb

blithely (comparative more blithely, superlative most blithely)

1. Without care, concern, or consideration.

   Synonyms: carelessly, indifferently
2. In a joyful, carefree manner.

   Synonyms: gladly, joyfully, merrily

3. (obsolete) In a kind manner.

Related terms

• blitheful
• blithefully
• blithefulness
• blithen
• blitheness
• blithesome

Translations

English

Etymology

bare +? -ly

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?b??(?).li/
• (US) IPA^(key): /?b??.li/
• Rhymes: -??(?)li
• Hyphenation: bare?ly

Adverb

barely (not comparable)

1. (degree) By a small margin.
   • 1748, David Hume, Enquiries concerning the human understanding and concerning the principles of moral, Oxford University Press (1973), section 8:

     It becomes, therefore, no inconsiderable part of science barely to know the different operations of mind,

   • 1925, Walter Anthony and Tom Reed (titles), Rupert Julian (director), The Phantom of the Opera, silent movie

     ‘It is barely possible you may hear of a ghost, a Phantom of the Opera!’
2. (degree) Almost not at all.
3. (archaic) merely.

Usage notes

It is grammatically a negative word. It therefore collocates with ever rather than never.

• Compare

with

Synonyms

• (degree): hardly, scarcely
• (barely, almost not or not quite): hardly, just, only just, scarcely

Translations

Anagrams

• Barley, Braley, barley, bearly, bleary