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

The United States must not take this sacrifice -- nor our allies' commitment to make it again -- lightly. —Mariam Khan, ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026

This story has been lightly edited and condensed for readability. —Glamour, 1 Apr. 2026

Doncic and Nets forward Ziaire Williams were assessed a double technical after Doncic lightly shoved Williams in the back in the third quarter. —Megan Armstrong, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026

Officials have directed agents to find and lightly redact files on the earlier investigation for review by top administration officials this week, The New York Times said. —Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 29 Mar. 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