Barring
/ˈbɑːrɪŋ/
prepositionIntermediate📊CommonExclusion
1 meaning1 question
Definitions
1
With the exception of; unless.
/ˈbɑːrɪŋ/
prepositionneutralIntermediate
Exclusion
Except for; apart from.
Barring rain, the picnic will go ahead.
💡 Simply: Except for.
More Examples
2
Barring accidents, we should arrive by noon.
How It's Used
General
"Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the project should be completed on time."
From Middle English *barring, from Old English *be- (prefix indicating 'by' or 'around') + bar. The sense evolved from the physical act of barring a door to a more general sense of preventing or except for.
Historically, the word's usage strongly linked to physical barriers, evolving over time to its current more abstract meaning.
Memory tip
Think of a bar physically blocking something; barring excludes.
Word Origin
LanguageOld English
Original meaning
"To block or obstruct"
Base: bar
barring any problemsbarring accidentsbarring unforeseen circumstances
Common misspellings
baringbarringg
Practice
Usage
40%Spoken
60%Written