different between narrowly vs barely

English

Etymology

From Middle English narowly, equivalent to narrow +? -ly.

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /?n??o?li/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?næ???li/
• (Mary–marry–merry distinction) IPA^(key): /?næ?o?li/

Adverb

narrowly (comparative more narrowly, superlative most narrowly)

1. In a narrow manner; without flexibility or latitude.

   They regarded the new idea rather narrowly.
2. By a narrow margin; closely.

   They narrowly escaped collision.

   • 1859, George Meredith, The Ordeal of Richard Feverel, Chapter 13:

     One inconsequent dream he related, about fancying himself quite young and rich, and finding himself suddenly in a field cropping razors around him, when, just as he had, by steps dainty as those of a French dancing-master, reached the middle, he to his dismay beheld a path clear of the blood, thirsty steel-crop, which he might have taken at first had he looked narrowly; and there he was.

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