lightness
1 Americannoun
-
the state or quality of being light in weight.
the amazing lightness of the new metal.
-
the quality of being agile, nimble, or graceful.
- Synonyms:
- sprightliness, nimbleness, grace, agility
-
lack of pressure or burdensomeness.
-
lack of seriousness; levity in actions, thoughts, or speech.
That kind of lightness seemed out of place.
-
gaiety of manner, speech, style, etc.; cheerfulness.
His lightness was just what the party needed.
noun
Etymology
Origin of lightness1
1175–1225; Middle English. See light 2, -ness
Origin of lightness2
before 1050; Middle English; Old English līhtness. See light 1, -ness
Vocabulary lists containing lightness
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
While Armani already used these luminous touches in his eveningwear, Silvana Armani has multiplied them to emphasise the fluidity and lightness of her silhouettes.
From Barron's ● Sep. 27, 2026
"I'd had a lot of calls that day from people who cared, who were stunned... and I just felt there was a lightness in his tone about Diana's death that really jarred with me."
From BBC ● Sep. 20, 2026
However, and as a direct consequence, the Turbo feels instantly familiar—the initial lightness of the open door, and balanced swing on its hinges, the thumping affirmation of triple-seal door closures.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 5, 2026
From there it opens up, like a flower bud warming to summer, with acoustic guitar strumming, a gentle rhythm section and a gospel choir echoing with otherworldly lightness.
From Salon ● Aug. 29, 2026
The supper would be delicious—omelets never fell and cakes rose to balloons of lightness, biscuits fluffed up, and no one could season a stew like Agnes Morrison.
From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
