lightweight

American  

[lahyt-weyt] / ˈlaɪtˌweɪt /

adjective

1. light in weight.

2. being lighter in weight, texture, etc., than another item or object of identical use, quality, or function: a lightweight alloy for ship construction.

   a lightweight topcoat;

   a lightweight alloy for ship construction.

3. without seriousness of purpose; trivial or trifling.

   lightweight reading.

4. of or relating to a lightweight.

   He's the new lightweight contender.

5. (of a horse, especially a hunter) able to carry up to 165 pounds (75 kilograms).

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noun

lightweights plural

1. a person of less than average weight.

2. Informal. a person who is of little influence, importance, or effect.

3. a boxer or other contestant intermediate in weight between a featherweight, and a welterweight, especially a professional boxer weighing between 126 and 135 pounds (56.7–61 kilograms).

lightweight British  

/ ˈlaɪtˌweɪt /

adjective

1. of a relatively light weight

2. not serious; trivial

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noun

1. a person or animal of a relatively light weight

2. 1. a professional boxer weighing 130–135 pounds (59–61 kg)

   2. an amateur boxer weighing 57–60 kg (126–132 pounds)

   3. ( as modifier )

      the lightweight contender

3. a wrestler in a similar weight category (usually 115–126 pounds (52–57 kg))

4. informal a person of little importance or influence

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• ultralightweight
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• lightweights
  plural

Etymology

Origin of lightweight

First recorded in 1765–75; light ² + weight

Explanation

When an object is lightweight, it weighs much less than other similar objects. A person is a lightweight if they can't handle much — if you get full after a small meal, big eaters might refer to you as a lightweight. Break lightweight apart — light + weight — and you see its definition right there in its root words. Someone who is called a lightweight is either a professional boxer who weighs under 135 pounds or he's someone with little importance or ability. When a company is looking to make layoffs, it's the lightweight employees, or those who just aren't important to the business that often get axed first.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

lightweight lightweights

Those who must be outside are encouraged to wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing and limit strenuous activities to the early morning or evening, he said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 30, 2026

For those who aren’t comfortable running shirtless or want sun protection, a lightweight, sweat-wicking top is a happy medium.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026

Holloway beat current lightweight champion Gaethje in 2024 and holds a strong claim to face his fellow American for a shot at gold if he chooses to drop back down a division.

From BBC ● Jul. 12, 2026

He is ranked fourth in the lightweight division and, despite not putting his hands on the title, has done some of his best work at 155lb.

From BBC ● Jul. 12, 2026

“Here’s the vertebrae. It’s not bone. It’s cartilage. It’s lightweight and flexible, so they can move quickly,” he said.

From "The Line Tender" by Kate Allen

The audience might forget those things, but it will remember how silly the suits looked as they struggled to deal with perceived lightweights who had organized against them.

From Slate ● Sep. 15, 2023

The two lightweights aren’t even fighting for a title or a fringe belt — making it a true grudge match.

From Washington Times ● Apr. 20, 2023

Also added to the card is an all-British fight between lightweights Saul Rogers and Tim Wilde.

From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2022

I’m a high school speech and debate alumni too, though I competed in public forum debate — an event that I’ve been told is for the intellectual lightweights of the speech and debate community.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 24, 2022

"We're lightweights," Mabel tried to joke, but her voice was thick with regret.

From "We Are Okay" by Nina LaCour