/ ˈbeəli; NAmE ˈberli/ adverb
1.
in a way that is just possible but only with difficulty :
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.
➡ note at hardly