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

After all, with a roster of celebrity clients that are no stranger to HD photography, a product co-sign from Gonzalez, doesn’t come lightly. —Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 21 Dec. 2025

Bake cookies, 1 baking sheet at a time, in preheated oven until lightly browned around edges, about 12 minutes. —Anna Theoktisto, Southern Living, 21 Dec. 2025

The quick wash cycle on your washing machine offers a convenient option for refreshing lightly worn clothes and linens swiftly. —Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Dec. 2025

This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity. —Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 19 Dec. 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