slightly
SLYT-lee
Slightly (adv) means to a small degree or extent. Example: “The soup was slightly too salty for my taste.”
adv
1
To a small degree or extent.
"He weighed slightly less than his wife who was a foot shorter."
"The soup was slightly too salty for my taste."
"She arrived slightly late to the meeting."
"And while that number is expected to shift back slightly into positive territory over this decade, fewer children today establishes an unmistakable implication for tomorrow: fewer adults available as consumers, workers and taxpayers."
— Ronald Brownstein, The racist ‘replacement theory’ has it all backward (2021)
"The picture hangs slightly to the left, so please straighten it."
How to use slightly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA little bit — not by much.
Common pairings
slightly better
slightly different
slightly more
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like slightly.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Comparative
- more slightly
- Superlative
- most slightly
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The soup was _____ too salty for my taste.
Etymology
From "slight" plus the adverb-forming suffix "-ly."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for slightly
See all rhymes for slightly →Frequently asked questions
What does “slightly” mean?
The word “slightly” means to a small degree or extent. In plain terms, a little bit — not by much.
How do you pronounce “slightly”?
“Slightly” is pronounced SLYT-lee (/ˈslaɪtli/ in IPA).
How do you use “slightly” in a sentence?
Here is “slightly” used in a sentence: “The soup was slightly too salty for my taste.”
What is another word for “slightly”?
Words with a similar meaning to “slightly” include a bit, a little, a little bit, a mite, a smidgen and a smidgeon.
What is the opposite of “slightly”?
The opposite of “slightly” — its antonyms — are almost, mostly and very.
What part of speech is “slightly”?
“Slightly” is an adverb.
Is “slightly” a common word?
“Slightly” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between 'slightly' and 'significantly'?
Both describe degree, but they sit at opposite ends. 'Slightly' means to a small, barely noticeable extent, as in 'slightly warm.' 'Significantly' means to a large, important extent, as in 'significantly warmer.' Choosing between them tells the reader how big the difference really is, from a tiny nudge to a major change.
What can I say instead of 'slightly'?
Close alternatives include 'a little,' 'a bit,' 'marginally,' 'somewhat,' and 'faintly.' For very small amounts, 'barely' or 'a touch' work well. The best choice depends on tone: 'a bit' feels casual, while 'marginally' sounds more formal or technical. All of them signal that the amount or change is small.
What is an example of 'slightly' in a sentence?
You might say, 'The soup is slightly too salty,' meaning it's salty by only a small degree. Other examples include 'She was slightly late,' 'The road curves slightly to the left,' and 'Prices rose slightly this month.' In each, slightly softens the statement, showing the effect is minor.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include slightly:
