lightly

adverb

light·ly ˈlīt-lē

Synonyms of lightly next

: in a light manner: such as

: with little weight or force : gently

: with indifference or carelessness : unconcernedly

the problem should not be passed over lightly—

Shelly Halpern

: with little difficulty : easily

: gaily, cheerfully

: in an agile manner : nimbly, swiftly

the cat leapt lightly onto the table

: 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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Gardenias like humidity, so place your pot on a tray of wet pebbles or mist the leaves lightly in the mornings. —

Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 14 Dec. 2024 Ellis-Taylor captures it lightly in her arms and brings it down to earth for us, and for Turner. —

Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 13 Dec. 2024 This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity. —

Melody Schreiber, NPR, 13 Dec. 2024 Angelina Jolie was also nominated in the Best Actress category alongside Erivo, and and Denzel Washington was nominated in the Best Supporting Actor category for his lightly bisexual character Macrinus. —

Mathew Rodriguez, Them, 12 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for lightly