lightly
lightly Lexical Profile
lightly Game Scores & Validity
• adverb
With very little weight, force, or physical pressure; gently.
"She tapped him lightly on the shoulder to get his attention."
To a small degree, amount, or extent; sparingly.
"Season the roasted vegetables lightly with sea salt and black pepper before serving."
Without serious thought, careful consideration, or due regard; carelessly or frivolously.
"Moving to a different country is a major life decision that should not be undertaken lightly."
In a nimble, agile, or effortless manner.
"The dancer leaped lightly across the stage as the orchestra played the final movement."
• Rhymes for lightly
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English leohtlice, meaning 'gently, easily, or quickly', formed from the root leoht ('not heavy') and the adverbial suffix -lice.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.