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
Midge WilsonElmore 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
Antjuan Seawright
Synonyms
Examples of lightness in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the WebSara Holdren, Vulture, 12 Sep. 2023
The space is as somber as a medieval tomb and as spare as a Brutalist gallery, but there’s a hint of lightness and earthiness—via two skylights, under one of which is planted an evergreen shady lady tree.
—Véronique Hyland, ELLE, 7 Sep. 2023
On the one hand, the lightness of the flight scenes.
—Boris Sollazzo, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2023
Children will learn how to understand the concepts of heaviness and lightness.
—Parents Editors, Parents, 23 Aug. 2023
The ideal upholds lightness, success and wealth as desirable traits in social settings.
—Daysia Tolentino, NBC News, 24 Aug. 2023
But over time their lightness, breathability and support more than outweighed any initial misgivings.
—Samson McDougall, Health, 4 Aug. 2023
Its lightness seeps into every input, and every reaction to the road.
—Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 11 July 2023
In every episode there is humor and joy and lightness and poignancy.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 21 June 2023
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Noun
Good for Kirk and Simpson, who are up there playing with such lightness and care through the kind of brave work that doesn’t shout about its bravery.
—Sara Holdren, Vulture, 12 Sep. 2023
The space is as somber as a medieval tomb and as spare as a Brutalist gallery, but there’s a hint of lightness and earthiness—via two skylights, under one of which is planted an evergreen shady lady tree.
—Véronique Hyland, ELLE, 7 Sep. 2023
On the one hand, the lightness of the flight scenes.
—Boris Sollazzo, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2023
Children will learn how to understand the concepts of heaviness and lightness.
—Parents Editors, Parents, 23 Aug. 2023
The ideal upholds lightness, success and wealth as desirable traits in social settings.
—Daysia Tolentino, NBC News, 24 Aug. 2023
But over time their lightness, breathability and support more than outweighed any initial misgivings.
—Samson McDougall, Health, 4 Aug. 2023
Its lightness seeps into every input, and every reaction to the road.
—Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 11 July 2023
In every episode there is humor and joy and lightness and poignancy.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 21 June 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lightness.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Dictionary Entries Near lightness
Cite this Entry
“Lightness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lightness. Accessed 3 Oct. 2023.
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More from Merriam-Webster on lightness
Nglish: Translation of lightness for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of lightness for Arabic Speakers
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