lighthearted

adjective

light·​heart·​ed ˈlīt-ˌhär-təd 

1

: free from care, anxiety, or seriousness : happy-go-lucky

a lighthearted mood

2

: cheerfully optimistic and hopeful : easygoing

… they can be lighthearted in the midst of misery …

—H. J. Forman

lightheartedly adverb

lightheartedness noun

Synonyms of lighthearted

• nonchalant
• carefree
• casual
• relaxed
• cavalier

Examples of lighthearted in a Sentence

his lighthearted attitude in the face of danger was the source of some concern

Recent Examples on the Web

Glasper is known for carrying a lighthearted tone to his performances, and this night was full of jokes and stories. — William E. Ketchum Iii, VIBE.com, 14 Oct. 2026

That song was almost a lighthearted jab, but also in a very real way. — Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026

Double Standard, the ground-floor bar, is a go-to for late-night drinks and a hip crowd, while the rooftop draws a steady stream of creatives with its panoramic cityscapes and lighthearted cocktails (in keeping with its stateside locations). — Katharine Sohn, Architectural Digest, 2 Oct. 2026

Fazio, who remains unknown to a significant portion of the electorate, is running several lighthearted ads with a dual purpose of raising his profile and criticizing the governor. — Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 25 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for lighthearted

• departed
• halfhearted
• imparted
• kindhearted
• restarted
• uncharted
• warmhearted
• wholehearted
• brokenhearted
• carted
• charted
• darted

Kids Definition

lighthearted

adjective

light·​heart·​ed -ˈhärt-əd 

: free from worry

lightheartedly adverb

lightheartedness noun