lightly
without good reason
How often you will meet it
Rank 2,121 of 71,295 words measured. It occurs 8,358 times across 175,160 chapters — 0.004% of every word in the library.
What it means
adverb
- without good reason one cannot say such things lightly
- with few burdens also: light experienced travellers travel light
- with little weight or force also: softly, gently she kissed him lightly on the forehead
- indulging with temperance we eat lightly in the morning
- with indifference or without dejection he took it lightly
- in a small quantity or extent also: thinly spread the margarine thinly over the meatapply paint lightly
lightly in real books
Each sentence below was written by a published author and is taken from a different book in our library. Open one to read the passage it came from, with narration.
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A young girl in V.A.D. uniform ran lightly across the lawn.
The Mysterious Affair at Styles · Agatha Christie · Chapter 1
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Putting a foot into the left stirrup, he vaulted lightly to the animal's back.
The High School Boys' Canoe Club · H. Irving (Harrie Irving) Hancock · Chapter 1
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When he has been vindicating privileges of Commons, can Members thus lightly treat incident?
Punch — Volume 99, August 16, 1890 · Various · Chapter 1
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Reaching the fourth story, he stopped before the door which faced the stairs, and knocked lightly.
Other People's Money · Emile Gaboriau · Chapter 1
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Cardigan made a long leap from the dock to the ship's rail, balanced there lightly a moment, and sprang to the deck.
The Valley of the Giants · Peter B. (Peter Bernard) Kyne · Chapter 1