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Scarcely for Dummies

adverb

pronunciation: 'skɜsli

What does Scarcely really mean?

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Scarcely is a word that may seem a little tricky, but don't fret! I'm here to help you understand it in the simplest way possible. So, let's jump right in!

Imagine you are at a birthday party, and there are only a few slices of cake left. "Scarcely" is a word we use when there is only a very small amount of something left, just like those last few pieces of cake. It's like saying there isn't much of that thing left, almost as if it's about to disappear. When something is scarce, it means there is hardly any of it remaining.

For example, let's say you have a treasure box filled with shiny coins. But as you reach in, you realize that there are only a couple of coins left at the bottom of the box. In this case, we can say that there are scarcely any coins left because there are only a few.

Another way to understand this word is by thinking about a rare and special type of flower. Imagine you are walking through a vast field, and suddenly you spot a unique flower that you've never seen before. This flower is so rare that you hardly ever see it. It's scarce because it's not common or easy to find.

Sometimes, "scarcely" can also mean "almost not" or "nearly not." Let me give you an example to make it crystal clear. Picture yourself in the middle of an exciting game of hide-and-seek. You are hiding behind a tree, and your friend is trying to find you. Your heart is pounding, and you hold your breath, trying to be as quiet as a mouse. Suddenly, your friend walks right past you without even noticing! You can say that you were scarcely seen because you were so close to not being seen at all!

So, to sum it all up, "scarcely" is a word used to describe situations where there is only a small amount of something left or when something is nearly not happening. It's like those last few slices of cake at a party or that rare and special flower in a vast field. Remember, if you ever feel confused, just think about real-life situations that involve small amounts or things that are hard to find, and you'll quickly grasp the meaning of "scarcely." Keep up the great work, and remember that with a bit of practice, even the trickiest words become a piece of cake!

Revised and Fact checked by Michael Garcia on 2023-10-30 00:27:32

Scarcely In a sentece

Learn how to use Scarcely inside a sentece

  • I had scarcely started the movie when the power went out.
  • He had scarcely finished his homework when his friends invited him to play.
  • She had scarcely taken a few steps when she tripped and fell.
  • The bus had scarcely left when I realized I had left my backpack on it.
  • I arrived at the store just in time, but there were scarcely any apples left.

Scarcely Synonyms

Words that can be interchanged for the original word in the same context.

Scarcely Pertains To

Words to which the original word is relevant