lightness

¹

[lahyt-nis]

noun

1. the state or quality of being light lights in weight.

   the amazing lightness of the new metal.

2. the quality of being agile, nimble, or graceful.

   Synonyms: sprightliness, nimbleness, grace, agility

3. lack of pressure or burdensomeness.

4. lack of seriousness; levity in actions, thoughts, or speech.

   That kind of lightness seemed out of place.

5. gaiety of manner, speech, style, etc.; cheerfulness.

   His lightness was just what the party needed.

lightness

²

[lahyt-nis]

noun

1. the state or quality of being light lights or illuminated.

2. thin or pale coloration.

3. the relative degree to which an object reflects light, lights, especially light lights of complementary or nearly complementary colors.

lightness

/ ˈlaɪtnɪs /

noun

1. the attribute of an object or colour that enables an observer to judge the extent to which the object or colour reflects or transmits incident light See also colour

Word History and Origins

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

Example Sentences

Maeve is a canvas Jones fills with the bleak resignation of a young woman forced into adult responsibilities too quickly, but she lifts those colors with the lightness of understanding.

From Salon

She described him as "a war hero, our hero, and the family patriarch who wore his position with a gentleness and lightness of touch, unwavering positivity and a resolve to carry on".

From BBC

There was a lightness to this episode’s events that the show hasn’t seen since it premiered.

From Salon

As they put it, "What is the bandwidth when you have Israel, Iran, welfare, and the economy to deal with? There is no lightness in politics."

From BBC

Even the alpine-inspired plantings cladding the museum’s roof — colorful wildflowers, long sweeping grasses and coarse scrubs, all chosen for their hardiness, lightness and shallow roots — follow this rhythm.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• brightness 
• sparkle