lightly

In a light manner.

Adverb

  1. In a light manner.
    • As a teacher, I don't take rudeness in class lightly.
    • Elbows almost touching they leaned at ease, idly reading the almost obliterated lines engraved there. ¶ "I never understood it," she observed, lightly scornful. "What occult meaning has a sun-dial for the spooney? I'm...
    • In the Southern Region of British Railways, most of the damage was caused by earthslips which blocked one or both roads. Obstructions occurred at 21 places in the London Eastern District, and at 18 places in London...

Origin

From Middle English lyghtly, liȝtliche, lihtliche, from Old English lēohtlīċe, equivalent to light + -ly.

Forms

lightlier more lightly lightliest most lightly lighty

Derived

get off lightly lightliness once-over-lightly overlightly take lightly tread lightly tread-lightly