Definition of lightly

lightlyadverb

nhẹ nhàng

/ˈlʌɪtli/

Definition of undefined

"Lightly" originates from the Old English word "līhtlice," meaning "easily," "quickly," or "without effort." This word is a combination of "līht," meaning "light," and the suffix "-lice," indicating manner. Over time, "līhtlice" evolved into "lightly," retaining the sense of ease and lack of weight. While the word now also conveys a sense of gentleness or delicacy, it ultimately traces back to the ancient concept of something being "light" in terms of weight or effort.

Summary
type phó từ
meaningnhẹ, nhẹ nhàng
namespace

gently; with very little force or effort

dịu dàng; với rất ít lực hoặc nỗ lực

Example:
  • He kissed her lightly on the cheek.

    Anh hôn nhẹ lên má cô.

  • She ran lightly up the stairs.

    Cô chạy nhẹ lên cầu thang.

to a small degree; not much

ở mức độ nhỏ; không nhiều

Example:
  • It began to snow lightly.

    Trời bắt đầu có tuyết rơi nhẹ.

  • She tended to sleep lightly nowadays (= it was easy to disturb her).

    Ngày nay cô ấy có xu hướng ngủ nhẹ nhàng (= rất dễ làm phiền cô ấy).

  • I try to eat lightly (= not to eat heavy or greasy food).

    Tôi cố gắng ăn nhẹ (= không ăn thức ăn nặng hoặc nhiều dầu mỡ).

in a way that sounds as though you are not particularly worried or interested

theo cách có vẻ như bạn không đặc biệt lo lắng hay quan tâm

Example:
  • ‘I'll be all right,’ he said lightly.

    “Tôi sẽ ổn thôi,” anh nói nhẹ nhàng.

Related words and phrases

without being seriously considered

mà không được xem xét nghiêm túc

Example:
  • This is not a problem we should take lightly.

    Đây không phải là một vấn đề chúng ta nên xem nhẹ.

  • Such fears should not be dismissed lightly.

    Những nỗi sợ hãi như vậy không nên bị loại bỏ một cách nhẹ nhàng.

Related words and phrases

Idioms

get off/be let off lightly
(informal)to be punished or treated in a way that is less severe than you deserve or may have expected
  • He got off lightly with a small fine.
  • The children were let off lightly.