merely

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 far from being merely a furniture expert...

Merely because you believe a thing is right, it isn't automatically so...

They are offering merely technical assistance.

Syn:
just, simply
2) ADV: ADV amount (emphasis) You use merely to emphasize that a particular amount or quantity is very small.

The brain accounts for merely three per cent of body weight.

Syn:
3) PHRASE: PHR with cl/group, PHR before v (emphasis) You use not merely before the less important of two contrasting statements, as a way of emphasizing the more important statement.

The team needs players who want to play cricket for England, not merely any country that will have them...

His were not merely crimes of theft but of violence against elderly people.

Syn:
not just

English dictionary. 2008.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?
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 — 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 =… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • 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

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”