adj
Meaning 1
Gentle; benign and with minimal intervention.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Standard Lemma guide
light-handed
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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lītʹhăn'd(ĭ)d
adj
Meaning 2
Sparing; applying only slight pressure or minimal amounts.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
adj
Meaning 3
Delicate and skilled; nimble and dextrous
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
adj
Meaning 4
Light-hearted; fun and witty or easygoing.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
- 1981-1982, Lou Sullivan, personal diary, quoted in 2019, Ellis Martin, Zach Ozma (editors), We Both Laughed In Pleasure We make several light-handed or joking references to my change.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
adj
Meaning 5
Flippant; lacking seriousness.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
adj
Meaning 6
Not having a full complement of workers.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: government, military, nautical, politics, transport, war
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
adj
Meaning 7
Thieving, larcenous.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
adj
Meaning 8
Fresh and light-tasting, not rich, heavy, or highly seasoned.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: food, lifestyle
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
adj
Meaning 9
Having or requiring little strength.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: obsolete
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
adv
Meaning 10
Carrying very little.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
adv
Meaning 11
In a light-handed manner.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
adjective satellite
Meaning 12
having a metaphorically delicate touch- New Yorker
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
- the translation is...light-handed...and generally unobtrusive
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
From Middle English lyghte handyd, from light (adjective) + honded, participle of honden (“to seize, take charge of”), from the noun hond (“hand”). See more at hand.