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lightsome1

[lahyt-suh m]
See more synonyms for lightsome on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. light, especially in form, appearance, or movement; airy; buoyant; agile; nimble; graceful.
  2. cheerful; lighthearted.
  3. frivolous; changeable.
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Origin of lightsome1

1350–1400; Middle English lyghtesum (cognate with Middle High German līhtsam). See light2, -some1
Related formslight·some·ly, adverblight·some·ness, noun

lightsome2

[lahyt-suh m]
adjective
  1. emitting or reflecting light; luminous.
  2. well-lighted; illuminated; bright.
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Origin of lightsome2

First recorded in 1400–50, lightsome is from the late Middle English word lyghtesum. See light1, -some1
Related formslight·some·ly, adverblight·some·ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

joyousbuoyantjollyplayfuljoviallivelylaid-backupbeatsuppleagilenimbleslimlimbercheerfulgenialpleasantcheerylightheartedblithebright

Examples from the Web for lightsome

Historical Examples

  • Then his own deeper one, out of its lightsome darkness: "A rainbow, child!"

    The Scapegoat

    Hall Caine

  • You won't find life so lightsome when his eagle eye discovers you.

    Miss Pat at School

    Pemberton Ginther

  • She has the invincible gift of youth, of lightsome, winsome, 344buoyant youth.

  • Indeed, there was too lightsome a tone of flippancy all through the paper.

  • It is their preservative instinct which teaches them to be flighty, lightsome, and false.

    Beyond Good and Evil

    Friedrich Nietzsche

British Dictionary definitions for lightsome

lightsome1

adjective archaic, or poetic
  1. lighthearted
  2. airy or buoyant
  3. not serious; frivolous
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Derived Formslightsomely, adverblightsomeness, noun

lightsome2

adjective archaic, or poetic
  1. producing or reflecting light
  2. full of or flooded with light
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012