Bearly or Barely: The Correct Spellings
By Muneeza Rehman & Muazma Batool — Published on April 3, 2024
Bearly is an incorrect spelling. The correct spelling is barely, which means "only just; almost not."
Which is correct: Bearly or Barely
How to spell Barely?
Bearly
Bearly
Barely
Barely
Is it Bearly or Barely
Remembering how to spell barely can be aided by associating it with the word "bare," which means "without covering" or "naked." Since barely often describes something minimal or just enough, this association can help recall the correct spelling. Contrast this with the incorrect bearly, which might misleadingly suggest a connection to bears, which is not the case.
Muneeza Rehman
Apr 03, 2024
Bearly is a common misspelling and does not hold any meaning in English. In contrast, the correct word barely means "only just" or "hardly." It is often used to describe something done with the smallest margin or by the narrowest degree.
Muneeza Rehman
Apr 03, 2024
The word barely has its roots in Middle English, derived from the words "bar," meaning "bare," and the adverbial suffix "-ly." It historically means "openly" or "plainly" but evolved to its current meaning of "only just" or "hardly."
Muazma Batool
Apr 03, 2024
How Do You Spell Barely Correctly?
Incorrect: They were bearly able to hear the speaker from the back of the room.
Correct: They were barely able to hear the speaker from the back of the room.
Muazma Batool
Apr 03, 2024
Incorrect: He had bearly finished his homework when his friends arrived.
Correct: He had barely finished his homework when his friends arrived.
Muneeza Rehman
Apr 03, 2024
Incorrect: She was bearly holding back her tears during the movie.
Correct: She was barely holding back her tears during the movie.
Muneeza Rehman
Apr 03, 2024
Incorrect: The old bridge could bearly support the weight of the truck.
Correct: The old bridge could barely support the weight of the truck.
Emerson
Apr 03, 2024
Incorrect: Bearly visible in the fog, the ship seemed like a ghost.
Correct: Barely visible in the fog, the ship seemed like a ghost.
Muneeza Rehman
Apr 03, 2024
Barely Definitions
Without any extras or adornments.
The room was barely furnished, with only a bed and a chair.
Muneeza Rehman
Jan 30, 2024
By a very narrow margin.
She barely passed the test with the minimum required score.
Muneeza Rehman
Jan 30, 2024
Almost not; nearly not.
The sun had barely risen when they set out on their journey.
Muazma Batool
Jan 30, 2024
Achieving something with great difficulty.
He barely managed to catch the last train home.
Daniel
Jan 30, 2024
Barely Meaning in a Sentence
They barely knew each other.
Muneeza Rehman
Apr 03, 2024
He arrived barely in time for the meeting.
Stacy
Apr 03, 2024
She barely whispered her response.
Victor
Apr 03, 2024
The light was barely enough to read by.
Muneeza Rehman
Apr 03, 2024
She could barely contain her excitement.
Muneeza Rehman
Apr 03, 2024
The path was barely visible in the moonlight.
Muazma Batool
Apr 03, 2024
They barely managed to finish before the deadline.
Stacy
Apr 03, 2024
His voice was barely audible over the noise.
Muneeza Rehman
Apr 03, 2024
The boat barely stayed afloat.
Daniel
Apr 03, 2024
He barely acknowledged her greeting.
Muneeza Rehman
Apr 03, 2024
Barely Idioms
Barely a whisper
Something spoken or heard very softly or quietly.
She spoke in barely a whisper, afraid to disturb the silence of the library.
Muneeza Rehman
Apr 03, 2024
Barely breathing
To be alive or functioning at the most minimal level.
After running the marathon, he was barely breathing and needed immediate rest.
Muneeza Rehman
Apr 03, 2024
Barely legal
Something that is just within the limits of the law.
The company's tax avoidance scheme was barely legal and ethically questionable.
Stefan
Apr 03, 2024
Barely visible
Something that can be seen only with difficulty.
The path was barely visible through the thick fog.
Victor
Apr 03, 2024
Barely audible
A sound that is so quiet that it is almost not heard.
The ticking of the old clock was barely audible in the vast hall.
Muneeza Rehman
Apr 03, 2024
Barely recognize
To find it difficult to identify someone or something due to changes or poor visibility.
She had changed so much over the years that I could barely recognize her.
Muneeza Rehman
Apr 03, 2024
Barely contain oneself
To struggle to control one's emotions or reactions.
She could barely contain herself when she saw the surprise party her friends had organized.
Muazma Batool
Apr 03, 2024
Barely make ends meet
To have just enough money to cover basic expenses.
With the rising cost of living, many families can barely make ends meet.
Carlos
Apr 03, 2024
Barely there
Something very minimal or slight, almost non-existent.
Her makeup was barely there, giving her a natural look.
Muneeza Rehman
Apr 03, 2024
Barely touched
Something that has been used or consumed very little.
The food was barely touched, indicating that the guests didn't enjoy the meal.
Muneeza Rehman
Apr 03, 2024
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is bearly often mistaken for barely?
Bearly is a common misspelling, likely due to a misunderstanding of the pronunciation or a simple typographical error.
Muneeza Rehman
Apr 03, 2024
Is there a plural form of barely?
No, barely is an adverb and does not have a plural form.
Muazma Batool
Apr 03, 2024
Can barely be used in different contexts?
Yes, barely can be used to describe something done with a minimal margin, just enough, or with difficulty. It's versatile in various contexts.
Muneeza Rehman
Apr 03, 2024
How can one easily remember the spelling of barely?
Remember that barely is related to the word "bare," which means "without covering." This can help distinguish it from the incorrect bearly.
Victor
Apr 03, 2024
Can barely be used to indicate time?
Yes, barely can be used to indicate something happening just a short time before, like "He had barely left when it started raining."
Daniel
Apr 03, 2024
Can barely modify adjectives?
Yes, barely can modify adjectives, as in "She was barely conscious."
Muneeza Rehman
Apr 03, 2024
What is the difference in usage between barely and "just"?
Barely implies a narrower margin than "just." "Just" can mean recently or exactly, while barely suggests by the smallest amount or hardly.
Muneeza Rehman
Apr 03, 2024
What is the origin of the word barely?
The word barely comes from Middle English, originally meaning "openly" or "plainly." It evolved to mean "only just" or "hardly."
Muneeza Rehman
Apr 03, 2024
Does barely have synonyms?
Yes, words like "hardly," "scarcely," and "just" can be synonyms of barely, depending on the context.
Muneeza Rehman
Apr 03, 2024
Is barely used in formal writing?
Yes, barely is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts.
Emerson
Apr 03, 2024
Content Creators
Written by
Muneeza RehmanAt Spellings wiki, Muneeza stands as a beacon of accuracy and precision, championing the importance of correct spellings in the written word.
Co-written by
Muazma BatoolMuazma is a dedicated writer for Spellings.Wiki. Passionate about the intricacies of English spellings and etymology, she simplifies complex language elements for her global audience. Beyond her work, Muazma stays updated on language trends by participating in workshops and conferences. An avid reader and traveler, she enjoys exploring cultures and languages during her leisure time.
