French word

légèrement

Pronunciation

IPA/leʒɛʁəmɑ̃/

Meaning

  • adverbslightly

Example

La température a légèrement augmenté.

The temperature rose slightly.

Illustration for légèrement (slightly)

More examples

Le café est légèrement sucré.

The coffee is slightly sweet.

Core concept

A volume knob turned down just enough to soften a change or quality.

Common phrases

  • légèrement en retard

    slightly late

  • légèrement sucré

    slightly sweet

  • légèrement différent

    slightly different

Similar words

un peu: To a small amount or degree.
peu: To an insufficient or limited amount.
quelque peu: To a small extent.
à peine: Only barely or almost not at all.

Definition in French

Atténue le sens d'un verbe, d'un adjectif ou d'un participe pour indiquer une intensité réduite.

Word origin

Légèrement is formed from légère, the feminine form of léger, with the adverbial ending -ment; léger derives from Latin levis.

Usage tips

  • Légèrement is neutral in register, while English lightly often describes manner or weight rather than reduced degree.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word