Mere
/mɪər/
adjectiveB2
Definition
Mere is used to say that something is only what you say and nothing more. It often makes something seem small, simple, or not important. For example, "a mere child" means just a child, nothing more special.
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See It in Action
Only, nothing more than, just (used to show smallness or simplicity)
- •She is a mere beginner in playing the piano.
- •The cost was a mere $5, very cheap.
- •It was a mere accident, nothing serious.
Used to emphasize how small or unimportant something is
- •The mere idea of failing made him nervous.
- •By mere luck, they found the lost keys.
- •The task was completed in a mere five minutes.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "mere" like "only" (A1 word), but it sounds more formal and emphasizes smallness or simplicity
- ✓Picture a small drop of water in a big ocean — that drop is a "mere" drop, very small and not much
- ✓It's the feeling when someone says "It's a mere scratch," meaning it is not serious or important
- ✓Sounds like "mirror" without the "r" at the end → imagine looking at a small, simple reflection, nothing extra
- ✓Think of the phrase "mere chance," meaning just a small possibility, nothing sure
- ✓NOT like "big" or "important" — "mere" makes something sound small or simple
- ✓NOT like "only" used for exclusiveness, "mere" adds the idea of being small or not enough
- ✓NOT like "just" in casual talk, "mere" is more formal and often used to downplay something
Try Other Words
- •Only: nothing more than (Use when you want a simple, everyday word for "mere")
- •Just: exactly or simply (Use when speaking casually about something small or simple)
- •Simply: without anything extra (Use when emphasizing easy or plain meaning)
- •Bare: only the smallest amount (Use when talking about the smallest or minimum amount)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: (no prefix or suffix) — "mere" is a simple root word
- •Etymology: From Old English "mere," meaning "pure," "unmixed," or "simple"
- •Historical development: Originally meant "pure" or "unmixed," later came to mean "only" or "just"
- •Modern usage: Used to emphasize smallness or simplicity, often in formal or literary language
- •Key insight: "Mere" makes something sound less important or smaller than it might seem
Reflect & Connect
•How does using "mere" change the feeling of a sentence compared to using "only" or "just"?
•Can "mere" ever make something sound more important instead of less? How?
Fill in the blanks
1.The ___ cost of the ticket surprised everyone because it was very low.
2.She was a ___ child when she learned to read at age three.
3.The ___ thought of speaking in public made him nervous.
4.They found the solution by ___ chance, not by planning.
5.It was a ___ five minutes before the game started.
6.He said it was a ___ mistake, so no one was angry.
7.The ___ idea of winning the prize gave her hope.