hardly
pronunciation
How to pronounce hardly in British English:
UK [ˈhɑːdli]
How to pronounce hardly in American English:
US [ˈhɑːrdli]
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- Adverb:
- by a small margin
- almost not
Word Origin
- hardly (adv.)
- c. 1200, "in a hard manner, with great exertion or effort," from Old English heardlice "sternly, severely, harshly; bravely; excessively" (see hard (adj.) + -ly (2)). Hence "assuredly, certainly" (early 14c.). Main modern sense of "barely, just" (1540s) reverses this, via the intermediate meaning "not easily, with trouble" (early 15c.). Formerly with superficial negative (not hardly). Similar formation in Old Saxon hardliko, German härtlich, Old Danish haardelig.
Example
- 1. That said , western countries have hardly abandoned zimbabwe .
- 2. Mike could hardly be described as your typical adolescent .
- 3. Hardly 16000 were installed last year , a tenth of the official target .
- 4. It was hardly a shining model of democracy .
- 5. Yet it is hardly ideal for the economy .