lightly

pronunciation

How to pronounce lightly in British English: UK [ˈlaɪtli] word uk audio image

How to pronounce lightly in American English: US [ˈlaɪtli] word us audio image

Adverb:

without good reason
with few burdens
with little weight or force
indulging with temperance
with indifference or without dejection
in a small quantity or extent
to a slight degree

Word Origin

lightly (adv.): Old English leohtlice "so as not to be heavy" (of material things, but also of sleep, blows, etc.); cognate with Old Frisian lichtelik, Old High German lihtlihho, German leichtlich, Old Norse lettlega (see light (adj.1)). Meaning "frivolously, indifferently" is from early 13c.

Synonym

adv.

spryly easily airily buoyantly nimbly supplely quickly daintily

adv.

timidly softly slightly delicately gingerly carefully faintly gently

adv.

optimistically gleefully gaily joyfully brightly smilingly breezily blithely merrily gladly cheerfully laughingly sunnily carefreely jubilantly mirthfully happily

adv.

heedlessly carelessly slightingly uncaringly thoughtlessly frivolously indifferently flippantly

Example

1. His right hand rested on her shoulder , lightly .

2. Babyhood is a pure and prized state that shouldn 't be contaminated lightly .

3. But such permissions are often lightly given and quickly forgotten .

4. With a 1.5tn economy , any stimulus spending that was big enough to make a difference should hardly be taken lightly .

5. With lightly traded securities , this can be magnified .

more: >How to Use "lightly" with Example Sentences