different between merely vs totally

English

Etymology

From mere +? -ly.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?m??li/
• (US) IPA^(key): /?m??li/

Adverb

merely (not comparable)

1. (obsolete) Wholly, entirely. [16th-20th c.]
2. (focus) Without any other reason etc.; only, just, and nothing more. [from 16th c.]

Synonyms

• (wholly):
• (without any other reason): See also Thesaurus:merely

Translations

Anagrams

• Lemery, Remley

Middle English

Adverb

merely

1. Alternative form of merily

English

Etymology

total +? -ly

Pronunciation

• (US, UK) enPR: t?t'?-l?, IPA^(key): /?to?t.?l.i/

Adverb

totally (not comparable)

1. To the fullest extent or degree.

   Synonyms: completely, entirely, fully, wholly

   • c. 1611, William Shakespeare, The Tempest, Act II, Scene 1,^[1]

     Antonio. He misses not much.

     Sebastian. No; he doth but mistake the truth totally.

   • 1789, Olaudah Equiano, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, London: for the author, Volume 1, Chapter 2, p. 59,^[2]

     The languages of different nations did not totally differ […] They were therefore easily learned;

   • 1813, Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, London: T. Egerton, Volume 1, Chapter 6, p. 57,^[3]

     Your conjecture is totally wrong, I assure you.

   • 1969, Chaim Potok, The Promise, New York: Knopf, Chapter 12, p. 226,^[4]

     I trust him totally and without reservation.

2. (degree, colloquial) Very; extremely.

3. (modal, colloquial) Definitely; for sure.

Synonyms

• See also Thesaurus:completely

Translations