Scarcely Definition & Meaning
scarcely
- adverb
- only a very short time before; "they could barely hear the speaker"; "we hardly knew them"; "just missed being hit"; "had scarcely rung the bell when the door flew open"; "would have scarce arrived before she would have found some excuse to leave"- W.B.Yeats
- almost not; "he hardly ever goes fishing"; "he was hardly more than sixteen years old"; "they scarcely ever used the emergency generator"
Words that rhyme with scarcely
Usage tips for "scarcely"
Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "scarcely" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for scarcely to find words that pair well.