lightly vs softly

lightly and softly both are adverbs.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
lightly	No	No	No	Yes
softly	No	No	No	Yes

As adverbs, lightly and softly are synonyms defined as:

Other synonyms of lightly include gently.

lightly (adverb)	softly (adverb)
with little weight or force	with low volume
indulging with temperance	with little weight or force
with few burdens	used as a direction in music; to be played relatively softly
in a small quantity or extent	in a manner that is pleasing to the senses
with indifference or without dejection
to a slight degree
without good reason