<p><strong>Adverb</strong></p><ul><li>only just; almost not; barely: We had hardly reached the lake when it started raining.</li><li>hardly any; hardly ever.</li><li>not at all; scarcely: That report is hardly surprising.</li><li>with little likelihood: He will hardly come now.</li><li>forcefully or vigorously.</li><li>with pain or difficulty.</li><li>British: harshly or severely.</li></ul>