légèrement

slightly

adverb leh-zhair-MAHN Rare

Also means

lightly

Usage Note

Légèrement derives from the adjective léger ('light, slight'). It softens statements and is very common in polite understatement. Do not confuse with doucement ('gently, slowly'), which has a different nuance.

Examples

"Il est légèrement en retard."

Natural Translation

He is slightly late.

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