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

In an email sent to members, Gold’s Gym SoCal said the move to sell “wasn’t a decision we made lightly,” the WeHo Times reported.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Raindrops lightly tapped against her body and she thought nothing of it.

Read more on Literature

It is a threat that no company can take lightly.

Read more on Barron's

The department said investigatory works have been completed and "decisions to close roads are not taken lightly".

Read more on BBC

"The Microsoft Office apps included in 365 subscriptions are essential in many people's lives and given there are limited substitutes to the bundled package, cancelling the subscription is a decision many would not make lightly."

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

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