Antonyms for lightly


Grammar : Adv
Spell : lahyt-lee
Phonetic Transcription : ˈlaɪt li


Definition of lightly

Origin :
  • Old English leohtlice "so as not to be heavy" (of material things, but also of sleep, blows, etc.); cognate with Old Frisian lichtelik, Old High German lihtlihho, German leichtlich, Old Norse lettlega (see light (adj.1)). Meaning "frivolously, indifferently" is from early 13c.
  • adv gently, effortlessly
Example sentences :
  • The moral customs of their countries were possibly held by them lightly.
  • Extract from : « The Conquest of Fear » by Basil King
  • She had kissed him lightly on the cheek before he knew what she intended to do.
  • Extract from : « K » by Mary Roberts Rinehart
  • But daddy's attentions were for few, and not to be lightly received.
  • Extract from : « K » by Mary Roberts Rinehart
  • Yates caught up a handful of sand, and flung it lightly against the pane.
  • Extract from : « In the Midst of Alarms » by Robert Barr
  • "Been rolling that to the top of the mountain," he said lightly.
  • Extract from : « Her Father's Daughter » by Gene Stratton-Porter
  • "Friends of mine," said Linda lightly as she stepped from the car.
  • Extract from : « Her Father's Daughter » by Gene Stratton-Porter
  • She did as I asked, touching me lightly with her little cool hand.
  • Extract from : « Green Mansions » by W. H. Hudson
  • "It's but what might have been looked for," he said, lightly, in answer to some sad words of my patron's.
  • Extract from : « In the Valley » by Harold Frederic
  • Public confidence, which had been too lightly raised, first wavered, then collapsed.
  • Extract from : « In the Valley » by Harold Frederic
  • It is a subject, he says, that he has not of late treated so lightly.
  • Extract from : « Clarissa, Volume 2 (of 9) » by Samuel Richardson

Synonyms for lightly

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019