Merely Meaning and Definition
Merely
Pronunciation
/ˈmɪərli/
Part of Speech
Adverb
Definition
Merely means only, simply, or nothing more than; used to indicate a lack of complexity or subtlety.
Examples
- The story was merely a rehashing of the same old plot.
- The play was merely entertainment; it didn’t have any deep meaning.
Synonyms
- Simply
- Only
Antonyms
- Deeply
- Complicatedly
Etymology
The word “merely” originates from the Old English word “mear”, meaning “simple” or “plain”.
Usage Notes
Merely is often used to indicate that something is simple or uncomplicated, but it can also be used to suggest that something is lacking in complexity or subtlety.
Cultural References
The term “merely” has been used in various cultural references, including literature and film. For example, the phrase “merely a rumor” has been used in numerous contexts to indicate that a story or claim is unsubstantiated.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
The word “merely” is often used in idiomatic expressions such as “merely a dream”, “merely a game”, or “merely a hobby”.
Related Words or Phrases
Words and phrases that are closely related to “merely” include “simply”, “only”, “just”, and “merely a”.
Collocations
MERELY is often used in collocations with words such as “a”, “only”, “just”, “simply”, and “nothing more than”.
Frequency of Use
The frequency of use of the word “merely” has remained relatively constant over the past few decades, but it has become less common in some contexts due to the rise of more nuanced language.
Common Misspellings
Common misspellings of the word “merely” include “mereley”, “merele”, and “merli”.