: 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
Shelly Halpern
c
: with little difficulty : easily
d
: gaily, cheerfully
f
: in a small degree or amount
lightly salted food
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
But rather than spreading resources thin to cast a wide net that lightly lifts production across the board, policymakers should focus their energy on restoring the production capacity of sectors critical to national security and Americans' health.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
There’s no sacrificing shape, either, thanks to lightly lined, full-coverage cups and a flexible underwire that offers gentle support without digging.
—Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 30 June 2025
Another option that involves heat and moisture, this one starts by lightly spraying the dented area with water.
—Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 29 June 2025
For Bezos wedding festivities, Sweeney's stylist Molly Dickson outfitted the star in a summer green and pink archival Elie Saab dress, with her blonde locks in lightly tousled curls.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 29 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for lightly
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Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025
There’s no sacrificing shape, either, thanks to lightly lined, full-coverage cups and a flexible underwire that offers gentle support without digging.
—Brigitt Earley, Glamour, 30 June 2025
Another option that involves heat and moisture, this one starts by lightly spraying the dented area with water.
—Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 29 June 2025
For Bezos wedding festivities, Sweeney's stylist Molly Dickson outfitted the star in a summer green and pink archival Elie Saab dress, with her blonde locks in lightly tousled curls.
—Jay Stahl, USA Today, 29 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for lightly
Cite this Entry
“Lightly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lightly. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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