好词典

scarcely

UK //ˈskeəsli//US //ˈskersli//

词源

源自中古英语 scarsly,由 scarce(稀少的)加副词后缀 -ly 构成,最终可追溯至古法语 escars(稀少的)。

adverb

❶ 表示几乎不、几乎没有,强调数量极少或程度极低,常与完成时态连用,带有否定意味。

“She had scarcely finished her meal when the phone rang.”

(她刚吃完饭电话就响了。)

“There was scarcely any food left in the fridge.”

(冰箱里几乎没剩下什么食物。)

同义词:hardly, barely, almost not

常见短语

scarcely...when/before — 表示“刚...就...”,用于描述一个动作紧接着另一个动作发生,强调时间上的紧凑。

“Scarcely had I closed my eyes when the alarm went off.”

(我刚闭上眼睛闹钟就响了。)