Sekirov Dictionary

hardly

UK /ˈhɑːdli/US /ˈhɑɹdli/

adverb 5
exclamation 1
forms 4

adverb5

•
almost not, or only just
- They hardly ever watch television.
- It's hardly possible he could lose the election.
•
Certainly not; not at all.
- I hardly think they'll come in this bad weather!
•
(old-fashioned) Harshly, severely; in a hard manner.
- "Mr. Cholmondeley, the young men out here are much too hardly worked to allow them time for paying impertinent compliments." — 1866
•
(no longer used) With difficulty.
- And what gentle flame soever doth warme the heart of young virgins, yet are they hardly drawne to leave and forgoe their mothers, to betake them to their husbands […]. — 2006
•
(no longer used) Firmly, vigorously, with strength or exertion.
- Let him hardly be possest with an honest curiositie to search out the nature and causes of all things […]. — 2006

exclamation1

•
Not really.
- I think the Beatles are a really overrated band. ― Hardly!

forms

hardlier · more hardly · hardliest · most hardly

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