Slightly Meaning: Definition and Usage Examples

Meaning 1：a little bit (slightly)

slightly 🔊

/ˈslaɪtli/

adv.

It means 'a little bit', emphasizing a very small amount or degree.

a little bit 🔊

➕

/ə ˈlɪtəl bɪt/

adv.

Used to indicate that something is only a small amount or degree, often to downplay or be modest.

📁 Category：Diet & Health 🔖 Level：beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

slight (small in degree) + -ly (adverb suffix)

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'slight' as a small crack – just slightly open. That tiny amount is 'slightly'.

📖 Example

The soup is slightly spicy, just enough to make it interesting. 🔊 The soup is slightly spicy, just enough to make it interesting.

🔗 Collocations

slightly different – a small difference in degree or character

slightly less – a small amount less than usual or expected

slightly more – a small amount more than usual or expected

🔄 Synonyms

a little (adv.) – to a small extent; slightly

somewhat (adv.) – to a moderate extent; slightly

marginally (adv.) – to a very small degree; slightly

🚫 Antonyms

very (adv.) – to a high degree; opposite of slightly

extremely (adv.) – to an extreme degree; opposite of slightly

considerably (adv.) – to a great extent; opposite of slightly

🌱 Derivatives

slight (adj.) – small in degree; insignificant

slightness (n.) – the state or quality of being slight

slightest (adj.) – superlative of slight; the smallest possible

📖 Cultural Story

From Old Norse 'sléttr' meaning 'smooth' or 'level', it evolved to mean 'small in degree'. In modern English, 'slightly' is a common hedge word in academic and polite discourse.