lighthearted

[lahyt-hahr-tid]

adjective

1. carefree; cheerful; merry.

   a lighthearted laugh.

   Synonyms: jocund, jovial, merry, glad, happy, blithe, joyful, cheery
   Antonyms: gloomy, melancholy, cheerless

Other Word Forms

• lightheartedly adverb
• lightheartedness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of lighthearted¹

1375–1425; late Middle English ligt-herted; light ², heart, -ed ³

Example Sentences

The mood at the car wash had once been lighthearted, with employees joking as they sprayed down cars and polished windows.

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Mater Lumley’s voice stayed lighthearted even as her cheeks went pale.

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They now wanted to introduce something similar to their own children, she said, while having some lighthearted relief from the world around them.

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He is considering instituting a lighthearted corporate equivalent of a “swear jar,” where employees pay a small penalty whenever they pull out their phones or laptops.

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In fact, apple bobbing originally began as a lighthearted game to predict one’s luck with their romantic prospects.

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Related Words

• buoyant 
• jolly 
• jovial 
• joyous 
• laid-back 
• lively 
• playful 
• upbeat