merely
word · lemma: mere
/ˈmɪɹɫi/
MEER-lee
/mˈiəli/
MEE-uh-lee
Definition
Merely means only or just, with the idea that something is small, limited, or not more important than it seems.
Usage & Nuances
Often used in formal or neutral writing more than casual speech, though common in conversation too. It can sound minimizing: 'merely a suggestion', 'not merely... but also...'. Learners often confuse it with 'only'; 'merely' is usually more emphatic or more literary.
Spanish: simplemente - meramente - apenasPortuguese (BR): simplesmente - meramente - apenasPortuguese (PT): simplesmente - meramente - apenasChinese (Simplified): 仅仅 - 只是Chinese (Traditional): 僅僅 - 只是Hindi: केवल - मात्रArabic: مجرد - فقطBengali: মাত্র - শুধুRussian: только - просто - лишьJapanese: 単に - ただVietnamese: chỉ - đơn thuầnKorean: 단지 - 그저Turkish: sadece - yalnızcaUrdu: محض - فقطIndonesian: hanya - sekadar
Example Sentences
It is merely a toy, not a real gun.
basic
She was merely asking a question.
basic
He is merely seventeen years old.
basic
I wasn't criticizing you — I was merely pointing out a problem.
natural
She's not merely talented; she's incredibly disciplined too.
natural
To them, it was merely a business decision, but for us it changed everything.
natural