light-hearted
Britishadjective
Other Word Forms
- light-heartedly adverb
- light-heartedness noun
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.
US President Donald Trump on Thursday startled Japan's prime minister by mentioning the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, a seemingly light-hearted remark sure to elicit unease in a country now a firm US ally.
From Barron's • Mar. 19, 2026
Another Republican lawmaker Eric Burlison said he'd like to begin his questioning with some "light-hearted questions".
From BBC • Mar. 2, 2026
The popularity of “Don Quixote” reflected the taste for light-hearted inspection of character and manners common to readers in the 18th century.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 9, 2026
“When creating potential pop tunes, Forté excels with light-hearted subject matter and instrumentation. However, when the Brooklyn native shifts to gritty themes and backdrops, his appeal diminishes rapidly. Fortunately, his softer selections redeem this album.”
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 14, 2026
She immediately put her hand over her mouth with an “oops!” and the atmosphere remained light-hearted; but we all knew, Mr. Roger included, that she’d made a mistake.
From "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro
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.
