different between rarely vs yarely

English

Etymology

From rare +? -ly.

Pronunciation

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

Adverb

rarely (comparative rarelier or more rarely, superlative rareliest or most rarely)

1. Not occurring at a regular interval; seldom; not often. [from 16th c.]

   We rarely go to the theatre.

   Rarely do you ever find an eagle this far up the river.

2. Unusually well; excellently. [from 16th c.]
3. To a rare degree; very. [from 16th c.]

Usage notes

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

• Compare We rarely ever go to the theatre. with We almost never go to the theatre.

Synonyms

• barely
• hardly
• infrequently
• once in a while
• seldom
• sporadically
• scarcely

Antonyms

• frequently, usually, often

Translations

References

• rarely in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
• rarely in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.

Anagrams

• rearly

English

Etymology

From Middle English ?arly, ?arely, from Old English ?earl??e, ?earol??e; equivalent to yare +? -ly.

Adverb

yarely (comparative more yarely, superlative most yarely)

1. (archaic) In a yare way.
   • c. 1606, William Shakespeare, Antony and Cleopatra, Act II scene ii:

     […] The silken tackle / Swell with the touches of those flower-soft hands / That yarely frame the office.

   • c. 1610-11, William Shakespeare, The Tempest, Act I scene i:

     […] Fall to't yarely, or we run ourselves aground. Bestir, bestir!

Synonyms

• lithely
• lively
• quickly
• readily
• willingly

Anagrams

• yearly