lightweight

American  

[lahyt-wayt] / 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

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Etymology

Origin of lightweight

First recorded in 1765–75; light ² + weight

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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

The firm released a long-awaited new model, V4, in April, and this month updated a faster, more lightweight version of V4.

From Barron's ● Oct. 20, 2026

Both Samsung and Google pack dedicated triple-camera setups or ultra-high megapixel sensors into their foldables, whereas Apple makes modest hardware compromises on its camera array to keep the Duo thin and lightweight.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026

It all started back in 2010 with the introduction of the Hoka line of max-cushion shoes, which led other brands to develop similar styles, each stacked with its own patented lightweight foam.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 10, 2026

That becomes especially challenging in applications such as space exploration, where equipment must be compact, lightweight, and reliable.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 9, 2026

It was a lightweight nylon-frame job, and all the necessities, from toilet paper to a flashlight and matches, extra socks, a plastic see-through poncho, and a lightweight sleeping bag were already in it.

From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols

Having faced some lightweights so far this season Celtic are now entering an altogether different division - a Champions League game against last season’s runners-up in their own storied ground.

From BBC ● Oct. 1, 2024

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

The two lightweights had an an all-action fight.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 6, 2021

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

From "We Are Okay" by Nina LaCour

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