mere
adjective [ before noun ] uk/mɪər/ us/mɪr/
B2 （用于强调不大，不重要或效果不大）只不过的，仅仅的
used to emphasize that something is not large or important
The plane crashed mere minutes after take-off. 飞机起飞后仅几分钟就坠毁了。
It cost a mere 20 dollars. 那只需花费20美元。
（用于强调感受强烈或极为重要）仅仅地
used to emphasize how strongly someone feels about something or how extreme a situation is
The mere thought of it (= just thinking about it) makes me feel sick. 一想起它就让我不舒服。
People became excited at the mere mention of his name. 一提到他的名字人们就激动起来。
the mere idea/possibility/prospect of something 只要一提这样的想法／可能性／前景
- More examples
- It took a mere five minutes for the world champion to dispose of his opponent.
- His tumultuous triumph five years ago now seems a mere footnote in history.
- The committee is a mere appendage of the council and has no power of its own.
- She had that indefinable something that went beyond mere sex appeal.
- A thousand pounds is a mere bagatelle to him.
- The mere possibility of a tax increase was enough to enrage him.
- Is it really possible that the mere presence of certain actors can doom a TV show?