hardly

Forms

Comparative: hardlier
Superlative: hardliest

Definitions

Adverb
A word that modifies a verb, adjective, another adverb, or a clause.

1.Barely, only just, almost not.
- Hardly did I arrive when he left.
- I could hardly have managed it in less time.
- It's hardly possible he could lose the election.
2.Certainly not; not at all.
- I hardly think they'll come in this bad weather!
- With this the second of three games in seven days for Stoke, it was hardly surprising to see nine changes from the side that started against Newcastle in the Premier League on Monday.

Interjection
A word or short phrase used to express a sudden emotion or reaction.

1.Not really.
- I think the Beatles are a really overrated band. ― Hardly!

Frequency

Overall

Uncommon· #2040

By learning goal

Everyday conversation: Rare
General reading & writing: Uncommon
Academic: Rare
Literature: Rare

Related words

Synonyms

barely

Word family

hard

Etymology

From Middle English hardely, hardliche, from Old English heardlīċe (“boldly; hardily; without ease; in a way that causes pain; not easily; only by degrees”), equivalent to hard + -ly.

Compare Dutch hardelijk, German härtlich.

AdverbAdverb×A word that modifies a verb, adjective, another adverb, or a clause.

IntjInterjection×A word or short phrase used to express a sudden emotion or reaction.