Language Research

bare · adjective

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bare (NO CLOTHES)

C1 not covered by clothes

Dictionary example:

bare arms/feet/legs

Learner example:

Most people had more essential needs to satisfy than their looks, but there were also women who painted tight-patterns on their bare legs to create a bit of post-war glamour. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; German)

bare (NOT COVERED)

C1 not covered by anything

Dictionary example:

Inside, the floors were bare and there was very little furniture.

Learner example:

The carpet on the floor is very thin (it's like a paper!). It sometimes comes off and I can see a bare wooden floor. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Japanese)

bare (BASIC)

C2 always before noun including only the smallest amount that you need of something

Dictionary examples:

The report just gave us the barest facts about the accident.

Tony's salary covers only the bare essentials for the family.

Staffing will be kept to a bare minimum this year.

Learner example:

Having passed the "prime" of their lives, many of them would be satisfied with the bare minimum as far as material things are concerned. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Spanish)

bare (EMPTY)

C2 empty

Dictionary examples:

a bare room

The shelves were bare.

Learner example:

Olivia decorates her "nest" with pictures, plugs and pale yellow sofas, according to the fashion in Europe, whereas the grand[d]aughter is fully satisfied with a bare room. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Greek)

with your bare hands

C2 without using any type of tool or weapon when doing something that requires a lot of strength

Dictionary example:

He wrestled the lion to the ground with his bare hands.

Learner example:

You could tell your grandchildren about the good old days when you hunted for mammoths and skinned them with your bare hands, just a few million years back (sigh: "seems like yesterday"). (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Spanish)