lightness

¹ American  

[lahyt-nis] / ˈlaɪt nɪs /

noun

1. the state or quality of being light 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.

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lightness ² American  

[lahyt-nis] / ˈlaɪt nɪs /

noun

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

2. thin or pale coloration.

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

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lightness British  

/ 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

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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

Example Sentences

“The lightness was forced, and the joy was a lie,” she tells him.

From Salon • Apr. 17, 2026

Building on that idea in the 1920s, Schrödinger described hue, saturation and lightness using a mathematical measurement system within this curved framework.

From Science Daily • Feb. 23, 2026

“I wanted to give them sincerity and emotional weight as well as lightness and humor, and the actors shared that.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 4, 2026

"I think we all needed a little bit of levity and lightness" and "to remember that we're all community and we can look out for each other," one participant tells AFP.

From Barron's • Jan. 26, 2026

I say to Cordelia, trying for lightness, and a change of subject.

From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood

Related Words

• brightness
• sparkle