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Definition of merely

merely

/ˈmɪr.li/
mere · ly
Adjective:mere
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merely Lexical Profile

merely Game Scores & Validity

• adverb

1

Just; only; no more than what is specified.

Example

"I was not trying to criticize your work; I was merely asking a question for clarification."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for merely

• Rhymes for merely

• Nearby Words

mercury
mercy
mere
merely
merengue
merfolk
merganser

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the 14th century from the adjective 'mere' (from Latin 'merus', meaning 'pure' or 'unmixed') plus the adverbial suffix '-ly'. It originally meant 'purely' or 'absolutely' before shifting in the 16th century to its modern restrictive sense of 'only' or 'nothing more than'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Merely. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/merely
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