barely
adverbBy just a small amount, with almost nothing to spare.
adverbAlmost not at all, or hardly.
adverbJust recently or just now.
Syllables
2 syllables
Letters
Phonics breakdown
Phonics Rule: Letter B
The letter B makes the /b/ sound, like in 'bat', 'big', and 'bug'. Both lips press together then release.
B is a voiced bilabial stop — both lips press together and release with voice. It always makes the /b/ sound except when silent at the end of words after m (as in 'lamb' or 'comb').
Tip
B looks like a bat — and bat starts with /b/!
Examples
Phonics Rule: ARE says /ɛər/
ARE at the end of a word makes the /ɛər/ sound, like in 'care' and 'share'.
ARE says /ɛər/ (the same 'air' sound as AIR): care, share, bare, scare, square, compare. The E is part of the team, not a magic E.
Tip
ARE says air — care, share, square!
Examples
Phonics Rule: Suffix -LY
Adding -LY to a word usually makes it describe HOW something is done, like 'slowly' and 'quickly'.
The suffix -ly usually turns an adjective into an adverb. 'Slow' → 'slowly' means 'in a slow way'.
Examples
What is SnapPhonics?
A phonics reference for teachers, parents and learners. Every English word, broken into the sounds that make it — with audio, syllables, and the rule behind each spelling.
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