hardly

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Adverb 1.3.1 Usage notes 1.3.2 Synonyms 1.3.3 Translations

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

hard +‎ ly

[edit] Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA: /ˈhɑːdli/
• (US) IPA: /ˈhɑɻdli/, SAMPA: /"hArdli/,  Audio (US)^{help, file}

[edit] Adverb

hardly (comparative more hardly, superlative most hardly)

1. (manner, obsolete) Firmly, vigorously, with strength or exertion.
   • 1603, John Florio, translating Michel de Montaigne, Essays, Folio Society 2006, vol. 1 p. 148:

     Let him hardly be possest with an honest curiositie to search out the nature and causes of all things [...].

2. (manner, archaic) Harshly, severely.

   I can't really deal hardly with people.

3. (manner, obsolete) With difficulty.
   • 1603, John Florio, translating Michel de Montaigne, Essays, Folio Society 2006, vol. 1, p. 234:

     And what gentle flame soever doth warme the heart of young virgins, yet are they hardly drawne to leave and forgoe their mothers, to betake them to their husbands [...].

   He made his way hardly through the enemies to the castle.

4. (degree) Barely, only just, almost not.

   I hardly ever watch television.

   I hardly think they'll come in this bad weather.

   It is hardly possible he could lose the election.

[edit] Usage notes

In the sense "barely", it is grammatically a negative word. It therefore collocates with ever rather than never.

• Compare example sentence with I almost never watch television

[edit] Synonyms

• (barely): scarcely

[edit] Translations