1 in a way that is just possible but only with difficulty:
He could barely read and write. * The music was barely audible. * She was barely able to stand. * We barely had time to catch the train.
2 in a way that almost does not happen or exist:
She barely acknowledged his presence. * There was barely any smell.
3 just; certainly not more than (a particular amount, age, time, etc.):
Barely 50% of the population voted. * He was barely 20 years old and already running his own company. * They arrived barely a minute later.
4 only a very short time before:
I had barely started speaking when he interrupted me. -< HARDLY
