lightweight

[lahyt-weyt]

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).

noun

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

/ ˈlaɪtˌweɪt /

adjective

1. of a relatively light weight

2. not serious; trivial

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

• ultralightweight adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lightweight¹

First recorded in 1765–75; light ² + weight

Example Sentences

Gower and his team used foam latex, which is lightweight and opaque, to cover large body pieces for Vecna, mainly his left arm and lower body.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Bamboo scaffolding has been used in Hong Kong for centuries, because it grows quickly, is lightweight and very strong.

Read more on BBC

It is currently undergoing renovation, hence the bamboo scaffolding, which is commonly used in the construction industry, especially in Asia, because it is lightweight and strong.

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But Benavidez began landing combinations to the head and body with the speed of a lightweight, switching between southpaw and orthodox at will.

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Major organizations, including the North American Weight Pull Association, the American Pulling Alliance and the World Wide Weight Pull Organization, have lightweight categories and awards for most weight pulled relative to size.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal