Hardly

Hardly is an adverb that expresses the idea that something is not likely to happen, is barely the case, or only just occurs. It often suggests a small degree or extent, almost the same as not at all. It can imply difficulty or a lack of ease. This word indicates a minimal or insufficient amount or degree. The term "hardly" implies negativity or doubt regarding the existence of the situation, event, or action being described. It can also imply something happens with difficulty. It's related to the adjectival 'hard' but the adverb "hardly" conveys negation, a concept entirely opposite of “hard”. The term suggests a scarcity of something.

Hardly meaning with examples

• I Hardly slept last night due to the loud thunderstorm. The rumbling and flashes kept me awake, preventing any significant rest. As a result, I'm exhausted and struggling to stay focused today. I really need some coffee to get through my busy workday today. This will all make for a long day.
• She Hardly ever goes out on weeknights, preferring to stay home and relax. Her routine mostly involves books and television shows, and she's not someone that enjoys crowded places. She craves quiet evenings after stressful days at work. Her social life is mainly limited to weekends.
• They Hardly knew each other before getting married. Their relationship progressed so rapidly that there wasn't much time to build a deep connection. There were certainly warning signs but they chose to ignore them. Now the marriage is in trouble, and they are seeking counselling.
• The evidence Hardly supports his claim. What he presented was weak and didn't seem to make much sense when you consider all of the facts. It actually weakened his overall claim of events. It’s a mystery how they're still holding up his case in court.
• We could Hardly believe our luck when we won the lottery. We were flabbergasted by the outcome, since we rarely win any contest and we were sure we would not win this contest. The impact on our lives will be life-changing, and we now will enjoy many beautiful things.