lightly

adverb

light·​ly ˈlīt-lē 

: in a light manner: such as

a

: with little weight or force : gently

b

: with indifference or carelessness : unconcernedly

… the problem should not be passed over lightly …

—Shelly Halpern

c

: with little difficulty : easily

d

: gaily, cheerfully

e

: in an agile manner : nimbly, swiftly

the cat leapt lightly onto the table

f

: in a small degree or amount

lightly salted food

Synonyms of lightly

• easily
• smoothly
• effortlessly
• easy
• freely
• efficiently
• readily

Examples of lightly in a Sentence

He talks lightly about the problems he's been having at work.

She moved lightly across the room.

These vegetables can be eaten either raw or lightly cooked.

Our troops were armed too lightly to take on the heavily armed invaders.

Considering the harm he did, he's gotten off lightly with only a warning.

The judge let her off lightly with a short sentence.

Recent Examples on the Web

This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for length and clarity. — Lisa Boone, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026

Each tortilla was warmed in a dry skillet until heated through and lightly toasted, then passed around while associate test kitchen editor Inés Anguiano began toasting the next round. — Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 July 2026

On the last Sunday in May, the ceiling of their cluttered studio is only lightly pulsing. — Laura Snapes, Pitchfork, 9 July 2026

Despite being critically hailed as one of the best dramas of the 21st century, The Wire was lightly watched at the time and received only two Emmy nominations over five seasons, both for writing. — Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing lightly

• take lightly
• tread lightly

Rhymes for lightly

• brightly
• knightly
• nightly
• rightly
• sightly
• slightly
• sprightly
• tightly
• whitely
• forthrightly
• fortnightly
• politely