lightly esteemed

USAGE SUMMARY

"lightly esteemed" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is usually used to describe something that is not valued or highly regarded. For example, "The local art gallery is lightly esteemed by the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

(NB, Breakfast losers: "Those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed").

The Guardian - Opinion

But although the Sermons of Swift are deficient in eloquence, and were lightly esteemed by their author, they must not be undervalued by the modern reader.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly".

Forbes

What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value.

Huffington Post

I pity our esteemed minister.

The New York Times

I esteemed the Abdication.

Wikipedia

In the NT, the Greek word for honor means to value highly, to esteem, and to not take lightly.

Huffington Post

God gave you self-esteem.

The New York Times

Appreciate and esteem your boss.

WikiHow

WHAT DOES HARRY TRUMAN, the long-deceased 33rd U.S. President, have in common with Jack Welch, the very much alive boss of General Electric Co.? They share the esteem, not lightly granted, of Peter F. Drucker, perhaps the most perceptive observer of the American scene since Alexis de Tocqueville.

Forbes

someone whom you love in a way that honestly shows both why they are loved, but that the pledge of esteem is not made lightly?

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lightly esteemed" when you want to convey a sense of mild disregard rather than outright contempt. It's suitable for nuanced situations where something isn't necessarily disliked, but not particularly valued either.

Common error

Avoid using "lightly esteemed" when you actually mean something is hated or strongly disliked. This phrase implies a lack of high regard, not necessarily active animosity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lightly esteemed" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. According to Ludwig, it describes something that is not highly valued or regarded. It often appears to indicate a mild form of disregard or undervaluation.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lightly esteemed" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe something or someone not highly valued or respected. Ludwig AI confirms its validity for written English. Although its usage is rare, it's suitable for conveying a mild lack of regard, fitting within neutral registers like news or general writing. When choosing alternatives, consider the specific nuance you wish to convey, such as "poorly regarded" for a direct replacement or "underappreciated" to suggest unrecognized value. Avoid using it when you intend to express strong dislike or contempt.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

poorly regarded

This alternative directly replaces "lightly esteemed" with a more common expression indicating low opinion.

not highly valued

This emphasizes the lack of value placed on something, shifting from esteem to explicit valuation.

held in low esteem

This phrase reverses the structure but maintains the core meaning, focusing on the act of holding something in low regard.

underappreciated

This suggests that something's value is not fully recognized, implying a potential for higher valuation.

not well thought of

This is a more conversational way to express a lack of positive opinion.

given little consideration

This shifts the focus to the lack of attention or thought given to something, rather than its inherent value.

disregarded

This implies an active dismissal or ignoring of something.

discounted

This suggests something is reduced in importance or significance.

underrated

Similar to "underappreciated", but implies a more objective measure of value that is being missed.

taken lightly

This suggests a lack of seriousness or importance attributed to something.

FAQs

How can I use "lightly esteemed" in a sentence?

You can use "lightly esteemed" to describe something or someone that is not highly valued or respected. For example, "The author's early works were "poorly regarded" by critics."

What's the difference between "lightly esteemed" and "disregarded"?

"Lightly esteemed" suggests a lack of high regard or value, while "disregarded" implies an active dismissal or ignoring of something. The former is more passive, while the latter is more active.

Are there situations where "lightly esteemed" would not be appropriate?

Yes, if you want to convey strong negative feelings or a sense of active dislike, "lightly esteemed" is too mild. Consider alternatives like "despised" or "held in contempt" instead.

What can I say instead of "lightly esteemed" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider phrases like "not highly valued" or "held in low esteem". These alternatives maintain the meaning while sounding more sophisticated.