: 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
Still, the decision did not come lightly.
—Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 21 Jan. 2026
So, the Tremble decision can’t be made lightly.
—Mike Kaye
updated January 21, Charlotte Observer, 21 Jan. 2026
The seedlings should be lightly fed every two weeks.
—Kerry Michaels, The Spruce, 21 Jan. 2026
The conversation was lightly edited for clarity.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lightly
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show current usage.
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Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 21 Jan. 2026
So, the Tremble decision can’t be made lightly.
—Mike Kaye
updated January 21, Charlotte Observer, 21 Jan. 2026
The seedlings should be lightly fed every two weeks.
—Kerry Michaels, The Spruce, 21 Jan. 2026
The conversation was lightly edited for clarity.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lightly
Cite this Entry
“Lightly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lightly. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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