hardly

Word parts

hard + -ly

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA ^(key): /ˈhɑːdli/
• (US) IPA ^(key): /ˈhɑrdli/, SAMPA: /"hArdli/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Adverb

Positive hardly

Comparative none

Superlative none

1. Not much, very little.
   • Synonym: barely

   I hardly noticed the pain.

2. Not at all.
   • Synonym: not

   I'm hardly qualified to give you medicine.

Usage note

There is no meaning shared with the adjective hard.

Antonyms

• greatly

Interjection

Interjection hardly

1. You can use hardly show you disagree a lot and are upset.

   Would I do that? Hardly!