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

Drawing inspiration from Italian stracciatella and Chinese egg drop soups, two of my all-time favorites, the broth is lightly seasoned, then bolstered with leafy greens and gingery egg ribbons. —Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 25 Mar. 2026

In fact, Buffon used his brilliance as a stylist to say something that was simultaneously both lightly ironic and also perfectly earnest. —Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026

Israel's national Magen David Adom [MDA] emergency rescue service said four people were lightly wounded in the Tel Aviv strike. —CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026

Bogues’ answers are lightly edited for brevity and clarity. —Langston Wertz Jr, Charlotte Observer, 24 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