Légèrement

Légèrement is a French adverb meaning to a small degree, modestly, or a little. It is used to soften descriptions or quantify changes, often before the word it modifies. For example, on peut dire: une sauce légèrement épicée (slightly spicy), parler légèrement plus fort (to speak a little louder), ou être légèrement en retard (to be slightly late). It can also appear after a verb when the phrase still reflects approximation, as in il est légèrement en retard.

Etymology and form: légèrement is formed from the adjective léger (meaning light) with the adverbial suffix -ment. The word is invariable and does not change for gender or number, unlike adjectives.

Usage notes: In everyday French, légèrement is common in culinary, descriptive, and informal contexts to introduce nuance without committing to a strong degree. It can modify adjectives, past participles used adjectivally, or other adverbs, and is often preferred to more absolute terms such as «très» or «fort». Its synonymy includes un peu, un tantinet, and quelque peu, while antonyms include fortement, énormément, or extrêmement when stronger emphasis is intended.

Translations and nuance: In English, légèrement translates as slightly, a little, or mildly, depending on context. It conveys nuance rather than a precise measure, and its placement helps control tone—neutral and cautious in analytical writing, or understated in casual speech. Related forms from the same root convey different degrees of lightness or ease, as in léger, légère, légerement.