1 only just; almost not:
I can scarcely believe it. * We scarcely ever meet. * Scarcely a week goes by without some new scandal in the papers. * There was scarcely a tree left standing after the storm.
2 used to say that sth happens immediately after sth else happens:
He had scarcely put the phone down when the doorbell rang. * Scarcely had the game started when it began to rain.
3 used to suggest that sth is not at all reasonable or likely:
It was scarcely an occasion for laughter. * She could scarcely complain, could she? * You can scarcely blame Annie. * It is scarcely surprising that the reforms have provoked such widespread discontent. -< HARDLY
