: 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
Bake for 12–14 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden brown. —Shafiq Najib, ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026 Sweep the tool lightly under the eyes and across the face. —Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2026 County reserves are meant to protect us in emergencies and should not be used lightly. —Norma Contreras, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026 Sweep the tool lightly under the eyes and across the face — there is no need to apply heavy pressure. —Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lightly
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Shafiq Najib, ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026 Sweep the tool lightly under the eyes and across the face. —Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2026 County reserves are meant to protect us in emergencies and should not be used lightly. —Norma Contreras, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026 Sweep the tool lightly under the eyes and across the face — there is no need to apply heavy pressure. —Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lightly
Cite this Entry
“Lightly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/lightly. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
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