mildly

Everyday

1. Slightly; a little; not very much: mildly annoyed. tree →
2. In a gentle, calm way: she spoke mildly. tree →
3. to put it mildly: said when the truth is even stronger than your words. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday talk «mildly» makes a word weaker: «mildly interesting», «mildly spicy». «To put it mildly» is a common phrase meaning it was actually much worse or bigger: «The test was hard, to put it mildly.» In science, «mildly acidic» means a little acidic.

Examples

• The curry is only mildly spicy. tree →
• I was mildly surprised when he turned up. tree →
• «Please be quiet,» said the teacher mildly. tree →
• The film was mildly funny. tree →
• The trip was a disaster, to put it mildly. tree →
• Lemon juice is mildly acidic. tree →
• The cut was mildly painful. tree →
• He was mildly annoyed when his pen ran out. tree →
• “I came with him,” said Tuan mildly. tree →

Note

Adverb from «mild». Do not confuse with «wildly» (very, uncontrollably), which looks similar but means the opposite strength. «To put it mildly» is a fixed phrase.