Entry Word: ¹light

Function: adjective

Meaning: 1 having little weight <the suitcase was as light as a feather after all the clothes fell out>

Synonyms airy, feathery, lightweight, underweight, weightless

Related Words bantam, diminutive, little, minute, small, smallish, puny, tiny, undersized, wee; flimsy, fragile, insubstantial; petite, slender, slight, slim, thin

Near Antonyms big, considerable, extensive, goodly, good-sized, great, handsome, huge, hulking, jumbo, king-size (or king-sized), large, largish, massive, oversize (or oversized), sizable (or sizeable), substantial, super, voluminous, whacking; bulky, cumbersome, unwieldy

Antonyms heavy, hefty, leaden, overweight, ponderous, weighty

2 involving minimal difficulty or effort <a little light work was all it took to straighten up the room> — see easy 1
3 less plentiful than what is normal, necessary, or desirable <traffic on the highway seems to be very light today> — see meager
4 moving easily <the dancer was light on her feet> — see graceful 1
5 not harsh or stern especially in manner, nature, or effect <light punishment to fit a minor offense> — see gentle 1
6 resembling air in lightness <the waves had an especially light foam at their crests because of the strong breeze> — see airy 1