lightly

Universal Words adverb 1 gently; with very little force or effort: He kissed her lightly on the cheek. * She ran lightly up the stairs. 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: 'I'll be all right,' he said lightly. 4 without being seriously considered: This is not a problem we should take lightly. * Such fears should not be dismissed lightly. IDIOMS get off / be let off lightly (informal) to be punished or treated in a way that is less harsh than you deserve or may have expected: He got off lightly with a small fine. * The children were let off lightly.