lightly
adv.to do something with very little force or pressure. You can also use it to mean you are not being serious about a choice or a problem.
adv.with little weight, force, or intensity; alternatively, in a manner that lacks serious intent or sufficient consideration.
“She tapped him lightly on the shoulder to get his attention.”
“You should not take this medical advice lightly; it is important to follow the doctor's instructions exactly.”
“The snow fell so lightly that it vanished the moment it touched the pavement, leaving no trace of the winter storm that had been predicted.”
Typically follows the verb it modifies when describing physical force, but often precedes the verb when used figuratively to mean 'without serious thought'.
Learners often use the adjective 'light' instead of the adverb 'lightly' to describe how an action is performed.
From Middle English lyghtly, liȝtliche, lihtliche, from Old English lēohtlīċe, equivalent to light + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.