What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
mere
Example
It was a mere coincidence that we ran into each other at the store. [mere: adjective]
Example
The book was a mere 100 pages long. [mere: adjective]
bare
Example
The tree branches were bare after the leaves fell off. [bare: adjective]
Example
He had to sleep on a bare mattress for a few nights. [bare: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Bare is more commonly used than mere in everyday language. Bare is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while mere is less common and has a more formal or literary tone.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between mere and bare?
While mere is typically associated with a formal or literary tone, bare is more colloquial and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
