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

Promotions that appear on Tax Day—Buy-One-Get-One, $1 promos, free anything—offer a moment of lightness in a very transactional day. —Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025

The knit garment merged the warm marsala tone with a lightness of fabric that didn’t feel or appear to be overpowering for the royal. —Julia Teti, Footwear News, 1 Apr. 2025

The new Rosemary’s in Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood is a restaurant that chooses lightness and brightness. —Andy Wang, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025

Its lightness and delicate botanicals align with the season’s theme of renewal and freshness. —Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 12 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