Definitions for Lightly
ˈlaɪt lilight·ly

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. lightlyadverb

   without good reason

   "one cannot say such things lightly"

2. lightly, lightadverb

   with few burdens

   "experienced travellers travel light"

3. lightly, softly, gentlyadverb

   with little weight or force

   "she kissed him lightly on the forehead"

4. lightlyadverb

   indulging with temperance

   "we eat lightly in the morning"

5. lightlyadverb

   with indifference or without dejection

   "he took it lightly"

6. thinly, lightlyadverb

   in a small quantity or extent

   "spread the margarine thinly over the meat"; "apply paint lightly"

7. lightlyadverb

   to a slight degree

   "her speech is only lightly accented"

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. lightlyadverb

   In a light manner.

Samuel Johnson's DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Lightlyadverb

   Etymology: from light.

   1. Without weight.

   This grave partakes the fleshly birth,
   Which cover lightly, gentle earth. Ben Jonson.

   2. Without deep impression.

   The soft ideas of the cheerful note,
   Lightly receiv’d, were easily forgot. Matthew Prior.

   3. Easily; readily; without difficulty; of course.

   If they write or speak publickly but five words, one of them is lightly about the dangerous estate of the church of England in respect of abused ceremonies. Richard Hooker, b. iv.

   Believ’t not lightly that your son
   Will not exceed the common, or be caught
   With cautelous baits and practice. William Shakespeare, Coriolanus.

   Short Summer lightly has a forward spring. William Shakespeare.

   The traitor in faction lightly goeth away with it. Francis Bacon.

   4. Without reason.

   Flatter not the rich; neither do thou willingly or lightly appear before great personages. Jeremy Taylor, Guide.

   Let every man that hath a calling be diligent in pursuance of its employment, so as not lightly, or without reasonable occasion, to neglect it. Jeremy Taylor, Holy Living.

   5. Without affliction; cheerfully.

   Bid that welcome
   Which comes to punish us, and we punish it,
   Seeming to bear it lightly. William Shakespeare, Ant. and Cleopatra.

   6. Not chastly.

   If I were lightly disposed, I could still perhaps have offers, that some, who hold their heads higher, would be glad to accept. Jonathan Swift, Story of an injured Lady.

   7. Nimbly; with agility; not heavily or tardily.

   Methought I stood on a wide river’s bank;
   When on a sudden, Torismond appear’d,
   Gave me his hand, and led me lightly o’er;
   Leaping and bounding on the billows heads,
   Till safely we had reach’d the farther shore. Dryden.

   8. Gaily; airily; with levity; without heed or care.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. lightly

   Lightly generally refers to actions or elements performed or present in a gentle, soft, or minimal way, without much emphasis or force. This term can apply to a broad range of phenomena such as touch, cooking, approaching a situation etc., suggesting a low intensity or easy manner in this context.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Lightlyadverb

   with little weight; with little force; as, to tread lightly; to press lightly

2. Lightlyadverb

   swiftly; nimbly; with agility

3. Lightlyadverb

   without deep impression

4. Lightlyadverb

   in a small degree; slightly; not severely

5. Lightlyadverb

   with little effort or difficulty; easily; readily

6. Lightlyadverb

   without reason, or for reasons of little weight

7. Lightlyadverb

   commonly; usually

8. Lightlyadverb

   without dejection; cheerfully

9. Lightlyadverb

   without heed or care; with levity; gayly; airily

10. Lightlyadverb

    not chastely; wantonly

British National Corpus

1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'Lightly' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #4503

2. Adverbs Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'Lightly' in Adverbs Frequency: #298

How to pronounce Lightly?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say Lightly in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of Lightly in Chaldean Numerology is: 2

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of Lightly in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3

Examples of Lightly in a Sentence

1. State Department spokesman John Kirby:

   The decision to do this wasn’t taken lightly. It was done after careful thought and consideration, and inter-agency coordination, the timing of it was completely considered independently of the Nuclear Security Summit and the visit here to Washington by Turkish officials.

2. Greg Nelson:

   People who know me — co-workers, the media and colleagues — know who I am and what I'm about, i understand the very serious nature of these claims and do not take them lightly. The accusations are, however, false. One was accidental and the other simply did not happen. Everything that was alleged was thoroughly investigated years ago, and I cooperated fully.

3. Judge Barry Williams:

   That is an inflammatory term ... that when uttered is not to be taken lightly.

4. The LME:

   The ring is a greatly treasured aspect of the LME’s rich 144-year history, and its closure is not a decision we ... will take lightly.

5. Chuck Grassley:

   I don’t take lightly making a referral for criminal investigation. But, as I would with any credible evidence of a crime unearthed in the course of our investigations, I feel obliged to pass that information along to the Justice Department for appropriate review.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=Lightly
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Lightly
3. ^ Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
   https://johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/views/search.php?term=Lightly
4. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
5. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Lightly