lightweight

1 of 2

noun

light·​weight ˈlīt-ˌwāt 

plural lightweights

1

: one of less than average weight

specifically : a boxer in a weight division having a maximum limit of 135 pounds for professionals and 132 pounds for amateurs compare featherweight, welterweight

2

: one of little consequence or ability

a political lightweight

3

: a person who becomes inebriated after consuming relatively small amounts of alcohol or drugs

Even at 6 foot 5 inches tall, Dean was a lightweight, and he sounded to be two drinks in, Johnson said.

—Kate Sosin

lightweight

2 of 2

adjective

1

: lacking in earnestness, ability, or profundity : inconsequential

a lightweight painter

a lightweight TV series

2

: having less than average weight

lightweight fabrics

3

: of, relating to, or characteristic of a lightweight

the lightweight championship

Synonyms

Noun

• cipher
• dwarf
• half-pint
• insect
• insignificancy
• morsel
• nobody
• nonentity
• nothing
• nullity
• number
• pip-squeak
• pygmy
• pigmy
• shrimp
• snippersnapper
• twerp
• whippersnapper
• zero
• zilch

Adjective

• featherlight
• feathery
• light
• underweight
• weightless

Examples of lightweight in a Sentence

Noun

The members of his staff were considered lightweights.

among astronomers she's considered a lightweight

Adjective

it's going to be hot, so wear mostly lightweight clothing

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Specs Field of view 6.5° (341 feet at 1,000 yards) Close focus 10 feet Weight 12.4 oz (351 g) Eye relief 16mm More Great Compact Binoculars Photograph: Zeiss Zeiss Terra ED 8 x 25 Binoculars $400 Amazon These lightweight (10.9 ounces) pocket bins from Zeiss deliver a very good, sharp image. —Scott Gilbertson, Wired News, 25 June 2025

Since aluminum isn’t heavy and doesn’t rust in salty conditions, options like the lightweight CoolCabana5 are a great choice for the beach. —Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 24 June 2025

Adjective

Made with a stretchy elastic waist and an ultra-soft, lightweight fabric, these pants certainly don’t skimp on comfort. —Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 27 June 2025

At 87 percent merino wool (blended with nylon), these are also very durable while remaining lightweight (10.3 oz for a men's large). —Scott Gilbertson, Wired News, 27 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1773, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1809, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for lightweight

• abate
• airfreight
• await
• baseplate
• berate
• birthdate
• birthrate
• bookplate
• borate
• breastplate
• bromate
• casemate

Kids Definition

lightweight

1 of 2 noun

light·​weight ˈlīt-ˌwāt 

1

: one of less than average weight

especially : a boxer in a weight division having an upper limit of about 135 pounds

2

: a person of little importance

lightweight

2 of 2 adjective

: having less than the usual or expected weight