light ‧ ly /ˈlaɪtli/ BrE AmE adverb
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ light , ↑ lighter , ↑ lighting , ↑ lightness ; adjective : ↑ light , ↑ lighted , ↑ unlit ; verb : ↑ light , ↑ lighten ; adverb : ↑ lightly , ↑ light ]
1 . with only a small amount of weight or force SYN gently :
I knocked lightly on the door.
2 . using or having only a small amount of something:
a lightly greased pan
lightly armed soldiers
3 . take/treat/approach something lightly to do something without serious thought:
Divorce is not a matter you can afford to take lightly.
4 . get off lightly ( also be let off lightly ) to be punished in a way that is less severe than you deserve:
He got off lightly because his father was a lawyer.
5 . without worrying, or without appearing to be worried:
‘Things will be fine,’ he said lightly.