lightly
LYT-lee
Lightly (adv) means In a gentle or delicate manner; with little force or weight. Example: “The snow fell lightly on the quiet street all morning.”
adv
1
In a gentle or delicate manner; with little force or weight.
"The snow fell lightly on the quiet street all morning."
"She touched his shoulder lightly to get his attention."
"Season the fish lightly with salt and pepper."
How to use lightly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGently, or to a small degree — not with much force or intensity.
Common pairings
lightly seasoned
tread lightly
lightly touched
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Word forms
- Comparative
- lightlier, more lightly
- Superlative
- lightliest, most lightly
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The snow fell _____ on the quiet street all morning.
Etymology
From Old English leohtlice, formed from light + the adverbial suffix -ly.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for lightly
See all rhymes for lightly →Frequently asked questions
What does “lightly” mean?
The word “lightly” means in a gentle or delicate manner; with little force or weight. In plain terms, gently, or to a small degree — not with much force or intensity.
How do you pronounce “lightly”?
“Lightly” is pronounced LYT-lee (/ˈlaɪtli/ in IPA).
How do you use “lightly” in a sentence?
Here is “lightly” used in a sentence: “She touched his shoulder lightly to get his attention.”
What part of speech is “lightly”?
“Lightly” is an adverb.
Where does the word “lightly” come from?
The word “lightly” comes from Old English. From Old English leohtlice, formed from light + the adverbial suffix -ly.
Is “lightly” a common word?
“Lightly” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between "lightly" and "slightly"?
"Lightly" means doing something in a gentle or delicate manner, or with little force or weight, as in "press lightly on the pedal." "Slightly" refers to a small degree or amount, as in "slightly different." They are not interchangeable: you touch something lightly, but you are slightly late.
When should you use "lightly" instead of "gently"?
Both describe an action done with little force and often overlap. "Lightly" emphasizes little weight or pressure, such as a light touch, while "gently" stresses a soft, careful manner. You might stir a sauce gently to avoid splashing, but season it lightly to add only a little.
What foods are commonly described as "lightly" cooked or seasoned?
"Lightly" pairs often with cooking words to signal a small amount or gentle treatment, as in lightly salted, lightly toasted, lightly fried, or lightly seasoned. In each case it means only a little has been added or done, keeping the effect delicate.
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