hardly

adverb

UK /ˈhɑː(r)dli/

Hardly is a negative word and is often used with words like ‘any’ and ‘ever’, but it should not be used with other negative words: We hardly ever do anything interesting.

Hardly comes before the main verb of a sentence, but when there is a modal or auxiliary verb, hardly usually comes after it: I can hardly breathe.You have hardly done any work.

In stories and in formal English, hardly is sometimes used at the beginning of a sentence before an auxiliary verb: Hardly had she begun to speak, when there was a shout from the back of the hall.

Hardly is not related to the word ‘hard’.

1
used for saying that something is almost not true or almost does not happen at all
He hardly spoke except to say hello.
Alice was so busy she hardly noticed the days pass by.
can hardly do something:
We could hardly afford to pay the rent.
hardly...at all:
The countryside around Stowe has hardly changed at all.
Synonyms and related words
Almost and almost not
almost
nearly
hardly
1. 1a
  used before words such as ‘ever’, ‘any’, ‘anyone’, or ‘anything’ to mean ‘almost never’, ‘almost none’, ‘almost no one’ etc
  There was hardly any wind, just a slight breeze.
  You’ve hardly eaten anything.
  Hardly anyone believed the fugitives’ story.
  It hardly ever rains here in the summer.
  Synonyms and related words
  Almost and almost not
  almost
  nearly
  hardly
2. 1b
  used for saying that something is very little more or less than something
  The region’s wine industry is hardly more than 40 years old.
  London is hardly an hour by train.
  Synonyms and related words
  Almost and almost not
  almost
  nearly
  hardly
2
used for saying that something had only just happened when something else happened
She had hardly arrived when she started talking about leaving again.
hardly had...than/when:
Hardly had the men started training than they were sent into battle.
Synonyms and related words
After another event or time
after
following
since
3
used when you think it is obvious that something is not true, not possible, not surprising etc
It’s hardly surprising that people are starting to complain.
David’s almost twenty-four – hardly a child.
This is hardly the time to start discussing finances.
you can hardly expect/blame etc (=it would not be reasonable to expect, blame etc):
You can hardly expect Myra to welcome you back after the way you’ve treated her.
Synonyms and related words
Ways of emphasizing that something is not true or likely
hardly
scarcely
actually
Synonyms and related words
Not possible
impossible
unbelievable
no-go
4
Britishspokenused for answering ‘no’, when you think someone has suggested something that is impossible
‘Are you hung over?’ ‘Hardly! I don’t even drink!’
Synonyms and related words
Ways of saying no
no
certainly not
by no means

phrases

hardly a day goes by/passes without something (doing something)

单词	hardly
释义	hardly adverb UK /ˈhɑː(r)dli/ Other entries for this word hardly dare (to) breathe phrase someone can’t wait/can hardly wait phrase hardly a day goes by/passes without something (doing something) phrase DEFINITIONS4 Hardly is a negative word and is often used with words like ‘any’ and ‘ever’, but it should not be used with other negative words: We hardly ever do anything interesting. Hardly comes before the main verb of a sentence, but when there is a modal or auxiliary verb, hardly usually comes after it: I can hardly breathe.You have hardly done any work. In stories and in formal English, hardly is sometimes used at the beginning of a sentence before an auxiliary verb: Hardly had she begun to speak, when there was a shout from the back of the hall. Hardly is not related to the word ‘hard’. 1 used for saying that something is almost not true or almost does not happen at all He hardly spoke except to say hello. Alice was so busy she hardly noticed the days pass by. can hardly do something: We could hardly afford to pay the rent. hardly...at all: The countryside around Stowe has hardly changed at all. Synonyms and related words Almost and almost not almost nearly hardly 1a used before words such as ‘ever’, ‘any’, ‘anyone’, or ‘anything’ to mean ‘almost never’, ‘almost none’, ‘almost no one’ etc There was hardly any wind, just a slight breeze. You’ve hardly eaten anything. Hardly anyone believed the fugitives’ story. It hardly ever rains here in the summer. Synonyms and related words Almost and almost not almost nearly hardly 1b used for saying that something is very little more or less than something The region’s wine industry is hardly more than 40 years old. London is hardly an hour by train. Synonyms and related words Almost and almost not almost nearly hardly 2 used for saying that something had only just happened when something else happened She had hardly arrived when she started talking about leaving again. hardly had...than/when: Hardly had the men started training than they were sent into battle. Synonyms and related words After another event or time after following since 3 used when you think it is obvious that something is not true, not possible, not surprising etc It’s hardly surprising that people are starting to complain. David’s almost twenty-four – hardly a child. This is hardly the time to start discussing finances. you can hardly expect/blame etc (=it would not be reasonable to expect, blame etc): You can hardly expect Myra to welcome you back after the way you’ve treated her. Synonyms and related words Ways of emphasizing that something is not true or likely hardly scarcely actually Synonyms and related words Not possible impossible unbelievable no-go 4 Britishspokenused for answering ‘no’, when you think someone has suggested something that is impossible ‘Are you hung over?’ ‘Hardly! I don’t even drink!’ Synonyms and related words Ways of saying no no certainly not by no means phrases hardly a day goes by/passes without something (doing something) hardly adverb US /ˈhɑrdli/ Other entries for this word hardly dare (to) breathe phrase someone can’t wait/can hardly wait phrase hardly a day goes by/passes without something (doing something) phrase DEFINITIONS4 Hardly is a negative word and is often used with words like “any” and “ever,” but it should not be used with other negative words: We hardly ever do anything interesting. Hardly comes before the main verb of a sentence, but when there is a modal or auxiliary verb, hardly usually comes after it: I can hardly breathe.You have hardly done any work. In stories and in formal English, hardly is sometimes used at the beginning of a sentence before an auxiliary verb: Hardly had she begun to speak, when there was a shout from the back of the hall. Hardly is not related to the word “hard.” 1 used for saying that something is almost not true or almost does not happen at all He hardly spoke except to say hello. Alice was so busy she hardly noticed the days pass by. can hardly do something: We could hardly afford to pay the rent. hardly...at all: My old high school has hardly changed at all. Synonyms and related words Almost and almost not almost nearly hardly 1a used before words such as “ever,” “any,” “anyone,” or “anything” to mean “almost never,” “almost none,” “almost no one,” etc. There was hardly any wind, just a slight breeze. You’ve hardly eaten anything. Hardly anyone believed the fugitives’ story. It hardly ever rains here in the summer. Synonyms and related words Almost and almost not almost nearly hardly 1b used for saying that something is very little more or less than something The region’s wine industry is hardly more than 40 years old. New Haven is hardly an hour by train. Synonyms and related words Almost and almost not almost nearly hardly 2 used for saying that something had only just happened when something else happened She had hardly arrived when she started talking about leaving again. hardly had...than/when: Hardly had the men started training than they were sent into battle. Synonyms and related words After another event or time after following since 3 used when you think it is obvious that something is not true, not possible, not surprising, etc. It’s hardly surprising that people are starting to complain. David’s almost twenty-four – hardly a child. This is hardly the time to start discussing finances. you can hardly expect/blame etc. (=it would not be reasonable to expect, blame, etc.): You can hardly expect Myra to welcome you back after the way you’ve treated her. Synonyms and related words Ways of emphasizing that something is not true or likely hardly scarcely actually Synonyms and related words Not possible impossible unbelievable no-go 4 Britishspokenused for answering “no,” when you think someone has suggested something that is impossible Synonyms and related words Ways of saying no no certainly not by no means phrases hardly a day goes by/passes without something (doing something)
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