merely

EtymologyEdit

From mere +‎ -ly.

PronunciationEdit

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈmɪəli/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈmɪɹli/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

AdverbEdit

merely (not comparable)

1. (obsolete) Wholly, entirely. [16th-20th c.]
   • 1644, John Milton, Aeropagitica:

     It is not forgot, since the acute and distinct Arminius was perverted meerly by the perusing of a namelesse discourse writt'n at Delf, which at first he took in hand to confute.

2. (focus) Without any other reason etc.; only, just, and nothing more. [from 16th c.]

TranslationsEdit

StatisticsEdit

• Most common English words before 1923: arm · wrong · afraid · #647: merely · struck · man's · write