Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

lightness

noun (1)
light·​ness | \ˈlīt-nəs \

Definition of lightness 

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : the quality or state of being illuminated : illumination

2 : 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

lightness

noun (2)

Definition of lightness (Entry 2 of 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

3a : the quality or state of being nimble

b : an ease and gaiety of style or manner

4 : a lack of weightiness or force : delicacy

First Known Use of lightness

Noun (1)

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

Noun (2)

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about lightness

Statistics for lightness

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for lightness

The first known use of lightness was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on lightness

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for lightness

Spanish Central: Translation of lightness

Nglish: Translation of lightness for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of lightness for Arabic Speakers

Comments on lightness

What made you want to look up lightness? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

exculpate

to clear from alleged fault or guilt

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Difficult Vocab Quiz

  • the-education-of-achilles-eugne-delacroix
  • Which is a synonym of discomfit?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

TRENDING NOW

  1. gaslight It is a word, though.

  2. invasion CNN reporter questions President.

  3. relevancy Ariana Grande slams ex-fiancé.

SEE ALL

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games