English · Adjectives
hardly
/ˈhɑːrdli/
[/ˈhɑːrdli/]
almost not at all
Beginneradverb
Definition
Hardly means almost not or only just. It shows a very small amount.
Example
I could hardly hear the music.
I could hardly hear the music.
Etymology
From 'hard', from Old English 'heard', plus '-ly'; the meaning shifted to 'scarcely'.
How & Where It’s Used
Used to mean barely; note it has a negative meaning even without 'not'.