different between thinly vs slightly

English

Etymology

From thin +? -ly.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /???nli/

Adverb

thinly (comparative more thinly, superlative most thinly)

1. In a thin, loose, or scattered manner; scantily; not thickly.

Translations

References

• thinly in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
• thinly in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.

English

Etymology

slight +? -ly

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?sla?tli/
• Hyphenation: slight?ly

Adverb

slightly (comparative more slightly, superlative most slightly)

1. Slenderly; delicately.

   He was slightly built, but tall.

2. (degree) To a small extent or degree.

   He weighed slightly less than his wife who was a foot shorter.

   Synonyms: a little, marginally, somewhat

   Antonyms: quite, very

Usage notes

Slightly is often used by the English to mean almost the opposite, something like rather. For example, "The big picture here of course is that still staggeringly low numbers of these migrants are being hired though, isn't it? And despite these rather positive tales we've just heard, there seems to be a broader, slightly grimmer picture which perhaps will have a lesson for other countries thinking of receiving migrants." (Ed Butler on BBC Business Daily, Sept. 23, 2016)

Translations