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

• 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

The Vikings still cannot take the rest of Detroit’s pass rush lightly. —Alec Lewis, New York Times, 1 Nov. 2025

Press the mixture down lightly, just enough to fill in the gaps. —Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 1 Nov. 2025

The designer sandals are made in shiny calfskin leather with stitched leather detailing and a lightly treaded sole. —Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 31 Oct. 2025

When the kitten breaks away, the cat lightly paws his face, prompting the older feline to sit up. —Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025

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