merely
gb/mˈɪɹli/ us/mˈɪɹli/
B1
Inglese
~ 1300
csak, pusztán
B1
1
Schema d'uso:
merely [verb/phrase]
He was merely trying to help.
This is merely a temporary solution.
I’m not angry; I’m merely surprised.
It’s merely a scratch, nothing serious.
Esempi per chi studia
I am merely asking a question.
She was merely tired, not sick.
It is merely a game.
He is merely a student.
Errore comune:
Learners sometimes confuse 'merely' with 'barely'; 'barely' means 'almost not', while 'merely' means 'only'.
Significato
only; nothing more
Collocazioni
merely a matter of
|merely an illusion
|merely a suggestion
|merely symbolic
Sinonimi
only (Most direct synonym; 'only' is more common and less formal.)
|
just ('Just' is more informal and often used in spoken English.)
Contrari
significantly (Opposite in meaning when stressing importance rather than triviality.)
|
substantially (Opposite when indicating something of large extent or importance.)
Temi
daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definizione
Used to say that something is only what you say and not more.
Used to emphasize that something is only what is stated and nothing more.
Grammatica
Forma base
merely
IPA
GB/mˈɪɹli/
US/mˈɪɹli/
Sillabe e accento
merely (1 sillaba)
Stress on 1st syllable (merely)
Forme flesse
Noun
- Base: merely
- Plural: merelies
Famiglia di parole
Forms
merelies
noun
Core family
mere
adjective B2
Espressioni
merely a matter of
1/mˈɪɹli ə mˈætɚ əv/
fixed phrase
only related to one thing
Used to say that something depends on or is about only one thing.
Esempi
- It’s merely a matter of time before they find out.
- Solving this problem is merely a matter of patience.
merely for show
1/mˈɪɹli fɚ ʃˈoʊ/
fixed phrase
only for appearance's sake
Done only to look good, not because it is real or needed.
Esempi
- The security cameras are merely for show.
- His smile was merely for show; he was still upset.