World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesMerely
/ˈmɪr.li/Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
Used to emphasize that something is not more than what it is.
"She was merely a spectator at the event." - 2
Indicating that something is insignificant or unimportant.
"He is merely a child, not yet aware of the complexities of life."
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
The word 'merely' originates from the combination of 'mere', which comes from the Old French 'mer', meaning 'pure' or 'simple', and the adverbial suffix '-ly'. It has evolved through Middle English, retaining the sense of something being only or just as it is.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Merely"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Merely" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
simplement
Transliteration: sɛ̃.plə.mɑ̃
"Elle était simplement une spectatrice à l'événement."
nur
Transliteration: nuːɐ̯
"Sie war nur eine Zuschauerin bei der Veranstaltung."
soltanto
Transliteration: solˈtanto
"Era soltanto una spettatrice all'evento."
meramente
Transliteration: meɾaˈmente
"Ella era meramente una espectadora en el evento."
meramente
Transliteration: meɾaˈmẽtʃi
"Ela era meramente uma espectadora no evento."
केवल
Transliteration: keval
"वह केवल एक दर्शक थी।"
仅仅
Transliteration: jǐnjǐn
"她仅仅是活动的观众。"
단지
Transliteration: danji
"그녀는 단지 행사에 참석한 관객이었다."
単に
Transliteration: tan ni
"彼女は単にイベントの観客だった。"
Related Vocabulary Words to Explore
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