/ ˈlaɪtli; NAmE / adverb
1.
gently; with very little force or effort :
He kissed her lightly on the cheek.
2.
to a small degree; not much :
It began to snow lightly.
She tended to sleep lightly nowadays (= it was easy to disturb her) .
I try to eat lightly (= not to eat heavy or greasy food) .
3.
in a way that sounds as though you are not particularly worried or interested
SYN nonchalantly :
'I'll be all right,' he said lightly.
4.
without being seriously considered :
This is not a problem we should take lightly .
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IDIOMS
- get off / be let off lightly