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. See More
Recent Examples on the WebIn addition, for the first time in his lengthy career in documentary, James employs high-level recreations with actors — a decision the veteran filmmaker did not take lightly. Manori Ravindran, Variety, 1 Sep. 2022 Shoulder problems are not something Fleming or the coaching staff would take lightly. Nathan Baird, cleveland, 24 Aug. 2022 At Mi Kwabo, mitoumba, a savory fermented-cassava and palm-oil cake popular in Cameroon, was lightly smoked in banana leaf before being fried. Vivian Song, Robb Report, 24 Apr. 2022 Below are condensed and lightly edited highlights of the conversation. Erin Prater, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2022 Questions have been lightly edited for clarity and length. Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2022 The conversation has been condensed and lightly edited for clarity. Sarah Matusek, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 Aug. 2022 The more consequential, if lightly worn, idea in his art was neither soft nor sweet, but big. Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 21 July 2022 Even where humans tread lightly, our collective impact touches everything. Lauren Mowery, Forbes, 5 July 2022 See More
Word History
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of lightly was before the 12th century