merely
gb/mˈɪɹli/ us/mˈɪɹli/
B1
Inglês
~ 1300
csak, pusztán
B1
1
Padrão de 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.
Exemplos para estudantes
I am merely asking a question.
She was merely tired, not sick.
It is merely a game.
He is merely a student.
Erro comum:
Learners sometimes confuse 'merely' with 'barely'; 'barely' means 'almost not', while 'merely' means 'only'.
Significado
only; nothing more
Colocações
merely a matter of
|merely an illusion
|merely a suggestion
|merely symbolic
Sinônimos
only (Most direct synonym; 'only' is more common and less formal.)
|
just ('Just' is more informal and often used in spoken English.)
Antônimos
significantly (Opposite in meaning when stressing importance rather than triviality.)
|
substantially (Opposite when indicating something of large extent or importance.)
Temas
daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definição
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.
Gramática
Forma no dicionário
merely
AFI
GB/mˈɪɹli/
US/mˈɪɹli/
Sílabas e tonicidade
merely (1 sílaba)
Stress on 1st syllable (merely)
Formas da palavra
Noun
- Base: merely
- Plural: merelies
Família de palavras
Forms
merelies
noun
Core family
mere
adjective B2
Expressões
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.
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos
- The security cameras are merely for show.
- His smile was merely for show; he was still upset.