lightly

[ lahyt-lee ]

adverb

1. with little weight, force, intensity, etc.; gently:

   to press lightly on a door bell.

2. to only a small amount or degree; slightly:

   lightly fried eggs.

3. nimbly; quickly:

   to leap lightly aside.

4. with a lack of concern; indifferently; slightly:

   to think lightly of one's achievements.

5. cheerfully; without complaining:

   to take bad news lightly.

6. without due consideration or reason (often used negatively):

   an offer not to be refused lightly.

7. without trouble or effort; easily:

   Lightly come, lightly go.

8. frivolously; flippantly:

   to behave lightly.

9. airily; buoyantly:

   flags floating lightly.

Word History and Origins

Origin of lightly¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English lightli, Old English lēohtlīce; light ², -ly

Idioms and Phrases

see get off (lightly) ; once over lightly .

Example Sentences

Pack lightly enough to be free from porters, taxi drivers and bellhops.

From New York Times

They’re going for a kind of holiday-themed “Mission: Impossible” or “Jason Bourne” vibe, which is lightly amusing for all of five minutes.

From Los Angeles Times

Speaking at the summit, Sir Keir said the new UK target would be "difficult" but "achievable", and he wanted government to "tread lightly on people's lives".

From BBC

Five people were injured but had left hospital and between 20 and 30 more had been lightly hurt, he said.

From BBC

"It wasn't one I took lightly - even though it might have seemed like that," says Milena, 33.

From BBC

Related Words

• casually
• delicately
• easily
• faintly
• freely
• gingerly
• mildly
• moderately
• quietly
• simply
• slightly
• softly
• sparsely
• subtly
• tenderly
• thinly