mere

mere · adjective

imported

Definitions

adjective

  1. 1.

    Used to emphasize how small or insignificant someone or something is.

  2. 2.

    Nothing more than what is specified; only.

  3. 3.

    (Archaic/Literary) A lake or pond, especially in British place names.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    the mere fact that — the simple truth that
  • •
    mere mortal — an ordinary person (often humorous)
  • •
    the merest hint — the slightest suggestion

Related words

Antonyms: considerable, significant, substantial
See also: just, merely, only, simple
Synonyms: bare, just, nothing but, only, simple

Etymology

From Latin merus ("pure, unmixed, undiluted"), via Old French mier. The sense evolved from "pure" to "nothing but" or "only." The noun sense meaning "lake" comes from Old English mere ("sea, lake, pool"), from Proto-Germanic mari.