Barley vs. Barely

Barleynoun

A cereal of the species Hordeum vulgare, or its grains, often used as food or to make beer and other malted drinks.

Barelyadverb

(degree) By a small margin.

Barleynoun

A valuable grain, of the family of grasses, genus Hordeum, used for food, and for making malt, from which are prepared beer, ale, and whisky.

Barelyadverb

(degree) Almost not at all.

‘The plane is so far away now I can barely see it.’; ‘Yes, it is barely visible.’;

Barleynoun

a grain of barley

Barelyadverb

(archaic) merely.

Barleynoun

cultivated since prehistoric times; grown for forage and grain

Barelyadverb

Without covering; nakedly.

Barleynoun

a hardy cereal with coarse bristles extending from the ears, cultivated especially for use in brewing and stockfeed.

Barelyadverb

Without concealment or disguise.

Barleynoun

the grain of barley.

Barelyadverb

Merely; only.

‘R. For now his son is duke.W. Barely in title, not in revenue.’;

Barley

Barley (Hordeum vulgare), a member of the grass family, is a major cereal grain grown in temperate climates globally. It was one of the first cultivated grains, particularly in Eurasia as early as 10,000 years ago.

Barelyadverb

But just; without any excess; with nothing to spare (of quantity, time, etc.); hence, scarcely; hardly; as, there was barely enough for all; he barely escaped.

Barelyadverb

by a small margin;

‘they could barely hear the speaker’; ‘we hardly knew them’; ‘just missed being hit’; ‘had scarcely rung the bell when the door flew open’; ‘would have scarce arrived before she would have found some excuse to leave’;

Barelyadverb

in a sparse or scanty way;

‘a barely furnished room’;

Barelyadverb

only just; almost not

‘a barely perceptible pause’; ‘she nodded, barely able to speak’;

Barelyadverb

only a very short time before

‘they had barely sat down before forty policemen swarmed in’;

Barelyadverb

in a simple and sparse way

‘their barely furnished house’;

Barelyadverb

openly; explicitly.