: 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
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
Remove the foil, sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup (1 ounce) of parmesan on top and continue baking, uncovered, for 5 to 10 minutes, or until lightly golden on top.
—The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026
Bake until cookies are set and lightly browned, 12 to 14 minutes, rotating baking sheets from top to bottom racks halfway through baking time.
—Josh Miller, Southern Living, 14 Jan. 2026
Key excerpts, lightly edited for clarity and brevity, appear below.
—Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 13 Jan. 2026
Carducci, a central Ohio native, does not take this new opportunity in Orlando lightly.
—Melanie Anzidei, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lightly
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Cite this Entry
“Lightly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lightly. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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