What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
lightly
Example
She touched the flower lightly with her fingertips. [lightly: adverb]
Example
The bird landed lightly on the branch. [lightly: adverb]
softly
Example
He spoke softly to the baby, trying not to wake her up. [softly: adverb]
Example
The cat's fur was soft and fluffy. [soft: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Softly is more commonly used than lightly in everyday language. Softly is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while lightly is less common and refers to more specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between lightly and softly?
Both lightly and softly can be used in formal and informal contexts, but softly is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of situations.
