lightness

1 of 2

noun (1)

light·​ness ˈlīt-nəs 

1

: the quality or state of being illuminated

the lightness [=brightness] of the room/sky

2

a

: the attribute of object colors by which the object appears to reflect or transmit more or less of the incident light compare brightness sense 2, hue sense 2c, saturation sense 4

b

: the quality or state of having or being a light (see light entry 2 sense 2a) skin color

"As long as there's White racism, there will be racism within the Black community and favoritism for lightness."

—Midge Wilson

Elmore had a very fair complexion. And while he had never used the lightness of his skin to pass as white, the clerk who took his voter registration paperwork never asked the question. And just like that, George Elmore registered to vote.

—Antjuan Seawright

lightness

2 of 2

noun (2)

1

: the quality or state of being light especially in weight

2

: lack of seriousness and stability of character often accompanied by casual heedlessness

3

a

: the quality or state of being nimble

b

: an ease and gaiety of style or manner

4

: a lack of weightiness or force : delicacy

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• brightness
• brilliance
• brilliancy
• candor
• dazzle
• effulgence
• illumination
• lambency
• luminance
• luminosity
• luminousness
• luster
• lustre
• lustrousness
• radiance
• refulgence
• splendor

Noun (2)

• slightness
• weightlessness

Examples of lightness in a Sentence

Noun (1)

the photographer was concerned that the lightness of the background would cast the main subject into shadow

Noun (2)

the first thing I noticed about the little bird was its lightness; I could hardly tell I was holding it in my hand

the inappropriate lightness of the anchorman's tone while he was reading the story of the freak accident in which people had died

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This million-dollar number comes in two versions, one in titanium and the other in Carbon TPT, a high-tech material that shares properties of lightness and resistance with those used in Formula 1 cars. —Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 2 May 2025

Despite that lengthy maturation, there’s a lightness to the tequila and the palate has notes of dark chocolate, black pepper, leather, and some bright herbs on the finish. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 29 Apr. 2025

Since he’s taken over the kitchen here, he’s evolved the five- and ten-course tasting menus to have a Portuguese soul and a welcome lightness. —Ann Abel, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025

Plus, there’s an innate sense of lightness that comes from a bubble hemline—there’s a reason why it’s called a bubble, after all. —Shelby Wax, Vogue, 16 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for lightness

• brightness
• rightness
• tightness
• whiteness
• politeness
• uprightness