: in a light manner: such as
a
: with little weight or force : gently
b
: with indifference or carelessness : unconcernedly
… the problem should not be passed over lightly …—
Shelly Halpern
Shelly Halpern
c
: with little difficulty : easily
d
: gaily, cheerfully
f
: in a small degree or amount
lightly salted food
Examples of lightly in a Sentence
He talks lightly about the problems he's been having at work.
She moved lightly across the room.
These vegetables can be eaten either raw or lightly cooked.
Our troops were armed too lightly to take on the heavily armed invaders.
Considering the harm he did, he's gotten off lightly with only a warning.
The judge let her off lightly with a short sentence.
Recent Examples on the Web
Second baseman Jake Cronenworth (concussion) continues to work out at Petco Park, running and playing catch and even swinging lightly in the batting cage.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2026
This new haircut keeps the main length while cutting in thick bangs that hit equidistance from her brows and hairline, feathered lightly to take away any density or heaviness.
—Mykenna Maniece, Vogue, 29 May 2026
Questions have been lightly edited for length and clarity.
—Jay King, New York Times, 28 May 2026
Those concerns should not be dismissed lightly.
—Sachin H. Jain, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for lightly
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Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2026
This new haircut keeps the main length while cutting in thick bangs that hit equidistance from her brows and hairline, feathered lightly to take away any density or heaviness.
—Mykenna Maniece, Vogue, 29 May 2026
Questions have been lightly edited for length and clarity.
—Jay King, New York Times, 28 May 2026
Those concerns should not be dismissed lightly.
—Sachin H. Jain, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for lightly
Cite this Entry
“Lightly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lightly. Accessed 31 May. 2026.
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