What does slightly mean?

Definitions for slightly
slight·ly

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word slightly.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. slightly, somewhat, more or lessadverb

    to a small degree or extent

    "his arguments were somewhat self-contradictory"; "the children argued because one slice of cake was slightly larger than the other"

  2. slenderly, slimly, slightlyadverb

    in a slim or slender manner

    "a slenderly built woman"; "slightly built"

Wiktionary

  1. slightlyadverb

    Slenderly; delicately.

    He was slightly built, but tall.

  2. slightlyadverb

    To a small extent or degree.

    He weighed slightly less than his wife who was a foot shorter.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. Slightlyadverb

    Etymology: from slight.

    Words, both because they are common, and do not so strongly move the fancy of man, are for the most part but slightly heard. Richard Hooker.

    Leave nothing fitting for the purpose
    Untouch’d, or slightly handled in discourse. William Shakespeare.

    You were to blame
    To part so slightly with your wife’s first gift. William Shakespeare.

    The letter-writer dissembles his knowledge of this restriction, and contents himself slightly to mention it towards the close of his pamphlet. Francis Atterbury.

    Long had the Gallick monarch uncontroul’d,
    Enlarg’d his borders, and of human force
    Opponent slightly thought. Philips.

    Scorn not the facil gates of hell too slightly barr’d. John Milton.

ChatGPT

  1. slightly

    "Slightly" is an adverb that describes something that is to a small degree, extent or amount, or in a minor manner. It can be used to refer to something that is not severely, thoroughly or significantly conducted, altered, affected or noticeable. It often denotes a minimal or subtle deviation from a standard or mean.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Slightlyadverb

    in a slight manner

  2. Slightlyadverb

    slightingly; negligently

British National Corpus

  1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'slightly' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #1189

  2. Written Corpus Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'slightly' in Written Corpus Frequency: #1010

  3. Adverbs Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'slightly' in Adverbs Frequency: #111

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

How to pronounce slightly?

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Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of slightly in Chaldean Numerology is: 5

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of slightly in Pythagorean Numerology is: 4

Examples of slightly in a Sentence

  1. Oscar Auliq-Ice:

    A subtle but effective way of encouraging an irregular voter is by slightly altering your vocabulary when you ask questions. For reasons that are unclear, people’s internal identity is only loosely connected to their actions—until they’re reminded of the discrepancy between the two. Use that to your advantage by emphasizing the identity of being a voter rather than the act of voting.

  2. Barry Popkin:

    There has not been a big enough change in sugar-sweetened beverages and refined carbohydrates and fast foods, and there has not been an increase in the healthy foods, we have slightly cut our calories [ but ] we still consume over half our calories from the wrong foods.

  3. Art Hogan:

    We’re going from what had been a very catalyst-heavy period over the last few weeks to a catalyst light period... expect to see the market grind sideways, perhaps slightly higher as we look ahead to what the Federal Reserve might deliver at Jackson Hole.

  4. Sean Taylor:

    People laugh at the old-fashioned techniques of the older guys, but when it happens we come out slightly better, because you're not caught with midcaps and liquidity. It's liquidity that really gets you in these markets.

  5. Michele Evermore:

    Workers are just going to see this and consider it an order and not challenge it, getting states to walk back this messaging is a little bit like closing the barn door after the horse is out. Once people have heard from the governor you have to go back to work, and then they issue on their website somewhere FAQs [ frequently asked questions ] that slightly soften that, does that reverse the initial damage ? I don't think so.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

slightly#1#2643#10000

Translations for slightly

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"slightly." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 11 Feb. 2025. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/slightly>.

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    an outward bevel around a door or window that makes it seem larger
    A ostensive
    B splay
    C inexpiable
    D tantamount

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