Mere
Definition
Mere refers to the smallest or slightest.
Parts of Speech
- Adjective
- Noun
Pronunciation
American English
- IPA Pronunciation: /mɪr/
- Respelling: MEER (with "MEER" as in "mirror")
British English
- IPA Pronunciation: /mɪə/
- Respelling: MEER (with "MEER" as in "mirror")
In both dialects, "mere" places the primary stress on the single syllable. The pronunciation is very similar across both American and British English, focusing on the clear articulation of "MEER."
Etymology
The term "mere" is derived from the Old English word "mǣre," which means "pure, undiluted." Over time, its meaning shifted towards denoting simplicity and a lack of mixture or adulteration, often highlighting the basic essence of something.
Derivatives
- Merely
- Mere-ish
- Mereness
- Mere-dream (a fantasy, an old term)
- Mere-stone (a boundary stone)
Synonyms
- Simple
- Sheer
- Pure
Antonyms
- Composite
- Compound
- Complex
Usage
"Mere" is often used to downplay the significance or extent of something. It is commonly used in expressions to highlight simplicity or insignificance.
Related Terms
- Minimal
- Basic
- Fundamental
- Sole
Detailed Definition
Adjective
- Being Nothing More Than: Used to emphasize how small or insignificant someone or something is.
- Example: It's a mere scratch; there's no need to worry.
- Pure or Simple: Unmixed with any other matter.
- Example: He told the mere truth without adding any details.
Noun
- Lake or Pond: Especially used in place names in parts of England.
- Example: Windermere is a popular mere in England.
mere
A mere leaf upon the water, its journey as vast as the ocean itself.
In a field of green, the mere presence of a solitary flower captivates the eye.
A mere spark ignited a blaze that warmed the cold night.
🇨🇳 Mandarin
- 只是 (Just)
- IPA: [ʈʂɨˈʂɨ]
- Respell: zhishi
- 仅仅 (Merely)
- IPA: [ʨɪnˈʨɪn]
- Respell: jinjin
🇮🇳 Hindi
- मात्र (Just)
- IPA: [maːt̪r]
- Respell: maatr
- केवल (Only)
- IPA: [keˈʋəl]
- Respell: keval
🇪🇸 Spanish
- Mero (Mere)
- IPA: [ˈmeɾo]
- Respell: mero
- Sólo (Only)
- IPA: [ˈso.lo]
- Respell: sólo
🇫🇷 French
- Simple (Simple)
- IPA: [sɛ̃pl]
- Respell: simple
- Seulement (Only)
- IPA: [sœlˈmɑ̃]
- Respell: seulement
🇸🇦 Modern Standard Arabic
- مجرد (Mere)
- IPA: [mad͡ʒˈrad]
- Respell: majrad
- فقط (Only)
- IPA: [faˈqatˤ]
- Respell: faqat
🇧🇩 Bengali
- কেবল (Only)
- IPA: [keˈbol]
- Respell: kebol
- মাত্র (Merely)
- IPA: [maˈt̪rɔ]
- Respell: matro
🇷🇺 Russian
- Просто (Simply)
- IPA: [ˈprostə]
- Respell: prosto
- Только (Only)
- IPA: [ˈtolʲkə]
- Respell: tol'ko
🇵🇹 Portuguese
- Mero (Mere)
- IPA: [ˈmɛɾu]
- Respell: mero
- Apenas (Only)
- IPA: [ɐˈpeˈnaʃ]
- Respell: apenas
🇮🇩 Indonesian
- Hanya (Only)
- IPA: [ˈhaɲa]
- Respell: hanya
- Murni (Pure)
- IPA: [ˈmurni]
- Respell: murni
🇩🇪 German
- Nur (Only)
- IPA: [nuːɐ̯]
- Respell: nur
- Bloß (Merely)
- IPA: [bloːs]
- Respell: bloß
🇯🇵 Japanese
- 単なる (Mere)
- IPA: [taɴˈnaɾu]
- Respell: tannaru
- ただの (Just)
- IPA: [taˈda no]
- Respell: tada no
🇻🇳 Vietnamese
- Chỉ là (Just)
- IPA: [t͡ɕi˧˥ laː˧˩˧]
- Respell: chỉ là
- Mere (Mere)
- IPA: [mɪɹ]
- Respell: mere
🇰🇷 Korean
- 단순한 (Simple)
- IPA: [dɑnˈsundʑʌn]
- Respell: dansunhan
- 그저 (Merely)
- IPA: [kɯˈdʑʌ]
- Respell: geujeo
🇹🇷 Turkish
- Sade (Plain)
- IPA: [saˈde]
- Respell: sade
- Yalnızca (Only)
- IPA: [jalˈnɯzʤɑ]
- Respell: yalnızca
🇵🇰 Urdu
- صرف (Only)
- IPA: [sɪˈrəf]
- Respell: sirf
- محض (Mere)
- IPA: [məˈhəz]
- Respell: mahaz
