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
• easy
• effortlessly
• facilely
• fluently
• freely
• handily
• hands down
• painlessly
• readily
• smoothly
• well

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

With the brand’s iconic V logo panels on each side, the low-top sneakers have a lightly padded EVA insole and textured rubber outsoles for grip. —Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 19 Apr. 2025

The Knicks can ill-afford to take the Pistons lightly. —Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 18 Apr. 2025

Carrying enough momentum, the wheel hit the rear of Suárez's car, bounced, and hit the gas man lightly. —Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025

The wine is aged six months and lightly fined and filtered. —John Mariani, Forbes.com, 18 Apr. 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