1
as in slightness
the state or quality of having little weight
the first thing I noticed about the little bird was its lightness; I could hardly tell I was holding it in my hand
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2
as in cheerfulness
a lack of seriousness often at an improper time
the inappropriate lightness of the anchorman's tone while he was reading the story of the freak accident in which people had died
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as in brightness
the quality or state of having or giving off light
the photographer was concerned that the lightness of the background would cast the main subject into shadow
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lightness
Kerry Pieri, Vogue, 7 Feb. 2025
Reliable comedic turns from Rick Hoffman's hapless Louis and Sarah Rafferty's fierce Donna brought a lightness to the show and rounded out the ensemble.
—Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 23 Feb. 2025
The record will explore the question of magic in all of its unexpected manifestations, even the ones that aren’t typically described with the lightness of the world, like grief.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 19 Feb. 2025
Natalia’s seething, building jealousy is the driving force of tension in a mood piece that never slackens over 95 minutes, despite the relative lightness of its plotting.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lightness
Noun
Leverage all of that lightness with cashmere separates grounded by a snakeskin belt and a light gray tote.
—Kerry Pieri, Vogue, 7 Feb. 2025
Reliable comedic turns from Rick Hoffman's hapless Louis and Sarah Rafferty's fierce Donna brought a lightness to the show and rounded out the ensemble.
—Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 23 Feb. 2025
The record will explore the question of magic in all of its unexpected manifestations, even the ones that aren’t typically described with the lightness of the world, like grief.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 19 Feb. 2025
Natalia’s seething, building jealousy is the driving force of tension in a mood piece that never slackens over 95 minutes, despite the relative lightness of its plotting.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lightness
Cite this Entry
“Lightness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lightness. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.
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