slightly
gb/slˈaɪtli/ us/slˈaɪtli/
A2
English
~ 1200
kissé
A2
1
kissé
B1
Usage pattern:
slightly [adjective/adverb]
The soup is slightly too salty.
A leves kissé túl sós.
She looked slightly confused by the question.
A kérdéstől kissé zavartnak tűnt.
It’s slightly warmer today than yesterday.
He moved the chair slightly to the left.
I’m feeling slightly better after resting.
Learner examples
The room is slightly cold.
A szoba kissé hideg.
I am slightly tired.
Kissé fáradt vagyok.
The bag is slightly heavy.
She is slightly late.
The door is slightly open.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'slightly' with 'lightly'. 'Lightly' usually refers to physical force or weight, while 'slightly' refers to degree or amount.
Meaning
To a small extent
Collocations
slightly different
|slightly better
|slightly larger
|slightly open
|slightly injured
Synonyms
a little (Very common and informal alternative with the same meaning.)
|
marginally (Slightly more formal and often used in business or academic contexts.)
Antonyms
considerably (Indicates a much greater degree, the opposite of 'slightly'.)
|
significantly (Shows a large and important difference, opposite to a small one.)
Themes
daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A little; not very much.
To a small extent or degree; not much.
Grammar
Dictionary form
slightly
IPA
GB/slˈaɪtli/
US/slˈaɪtli/
Syllables & stress
slightly (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (slightly)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: slightly
- Plural: slightlies
Word family
Expressions
ever so slightly
1/ˈɛvɚ sˈoʊ slˈaɪtli/
fixed phrase
To a very small extent
Only a little bit; almost not at all.
Examples
- He was ever so slightly annoyed by the noise.
- The door was ever so slightly open, letting in a draft.
move slightly
1/mˈuv slˈaɪtli/
fixed phrase
Change position a little bit
To change where something is, but only a little.
Examples
- Could you move slightly to your left?
- She moved slightly to make room for him.