slightly

The word “slightly” means to a small degree or extent. In plain terms, a little bit — not by much.

“Slightly” is pronounced SLYT-lee (/ˈslaɪtli/ in IPA).

Here is “slightly” used in a sentence: “The soup was slightly too salty for my taste.”

Words with a similar meaning to “slightly” include a bit, a little, a little bit, a mite, a smidgen and a smidgeon.

The opposite of “slightly” — its antonyms — are almost, mostly and very.

“Slightly” is an adverb.

“Slightly” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

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.

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.

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.