merely

merely
mere|ly
W2S2 [ˈmıəli US ˈmırli] adv
1.) used to emphasize how small or unimportant something or someone is
= ↑only
▪ He's merely a boy - you can't expect him to understand.
2.) used to emphasize that nothing more than what you say is involved
= ↑just
▪ We're merely good friends.
▪ He merely shrugged and walked away.
3.) not merely/rather than merely
used before the less important of two ideas in a sentence to emphasize the more important idea
▪ It's not merely a matter of cost, but whether she's old enough to go on holiday alone.
▪ It's important to write these goals down, rather than merely think about them.

Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.

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Synonyms:
, , , , / , , ,


Look at other dictionaries:

  • Merely — Mere ly, adv. 1. Purely; unmixedly; absolutely. [1913 Webster] Ulysses was to force forth his access, Though merely naked. Chapman. [1913 Webster] 2. Not otherwise than; simply; barely; only. [1913 Webster] Prize not your life for other ends Than …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • merely — index only, purely (simply), solely (purely) Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • merely — (adv.) mid 15c., entirely, purely, from MERE (Cf. mere) (adj.) + LY (Cf. ly) (2). Meaning and nothing more is from 1580s …   Etymology dictionary

  • merely — ► ADVERB ▪ just; only …   English terms dictionary

  • merely — [mir′lē] adv. [ MERE1 + LY2] 1. no more than; and nothing else; only 2. Obs. absolutely; altogether …   English World dictionary

  • merely — [[t]mɪ͟ə(r)li[/t]] ♦♦♦ 1) ADV: ADV with cl/group, ADV before v (emphasis) You use merely to emphasize that something is only what you say and not better, more important, or more exciting. Michael is now merely a good friend... Francis Watson was… …   English dictionary

  • merely — adverb 1 used to emphasize that something or someone is very small or unimportant, especially when compared with something else; only: It is an issue of merely local importance. | This is merely the latest example of government interference. 2… …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • merely — adv. Merely is used with these adjectives: ↑academic, ↑adequate, ↑coincidental, ↑cosmetic, ↑curious, ↑decorative, ↑descriptive, ↑formal, ↑hypothetical, ↑incidental, ↑instrumental, ↑ …   Collocations dictionary

  • merely — mere|ly [ mırli ] adverb 1. ) used for emphasizing that something is small or unimportant: ONLY: This job is merely a way to pay my bills. 2. ) used for emphasizing that something is not as bad, severe, or important as someone thinks it is: ONLY …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • merely */*/*/ — UK [ˈmɪə(r)lɪ] / US [ˈmɪrlɪ] adverb 1) used for emphasizing that something is small or unimportant This job is merely a way to pay my bills. 2) used for emphasizing that something is not as bad, severe, or important as someone thinks it is I m… …   English dictionary

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