mere
Translation
mere, just, only, simple
Examples
It was a mere scratch, nothing serious.
It was a mere scratch, nothing serious.
He is a mere child.
He is a mere child.
The mere thought of it makes me sick.
The mere thought of it makes me sick.
Grammar Patterns
a ((mere)) ((noun)) It was a mere formality.
the ((mere)) ((noun)) of ((sth.)) The mere mention of his name made her blush.
Similar Words
Synonyms: simple, sheer, just, only
Etymology
From Latin 'merus' meaning 'pure, unmixed'.
Memory Tips
Think of 'mere' as meaning 'merely' or 'just'. It emphasizes how small or unimportant something is. 'It's a MERE mouse!'