adv

merely

MEER-lee

adv

Only, and nothing more than; simply.

"I merely asked what time it was — no need to get defensive."

"The delay was merely a formality."

How to Use Merely

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishUsed to say something is only that and nothing bigger or more serious.

Common pairings

merely a suggestion merely coincidental not merely X but Y

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I _____ asked what time it was — no need to get defensive.

From Middle English mereli, formed from mere plus the adverb suffix -ly.

barely but just literally no more than nothing but only simply

absolutely all-fired completely indeed very very much

absolutely accurate but yes all almost right very

Ely rely Neely comely lonely timely lovely homely widely lively lately rarely

barely but just literally no more than nothing but only simply absolutely all-fired completely indeed