1
as in slightness
the state or quality of having little weight
the first thing I noticed about the little bird was its lightness; I could hardly tell I was holding it in my hand
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2
as in cheerfulness
a lack of seriousness often at an improper time
the inappropriate lightness of the anchorman's tone while he was reading the story of the freak accident in which people had died
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as in brightness
the quality or state of having or giving off light
the photographer was concerned that the lightness of the background would cast the main subject into shadow
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Recent Examples of lightness
Lynn Yaeger, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2024
With a 42mm case, the watch is 40% lighter and 60% stronger than stainless steel, offering an ideal balance of strength and lightness.
—Jennifer Lee, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024
Blue sky walls and ceiling matched the lightness of the song, which Eilish sang alongside her brother, producer and co-writer, Finneas, who was on acoustic guitar.
—William Vaillancourt, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2024
Musical theater is the most American art form that exists, all dazzle and jazz hands, but Fitzgerald’s novel draws its power from the lightness of its allusions.
—Lauren Groff, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for lightness 
Noun
These right things include those huge 18-karat-gold teardrop earrings, whose lightness belies their size.
—Lynn Yaeger, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2024
With a 42mm case, the watch is 40% lighter and 60% stronger than stainless steel, offering an ideal balance of strength and lightness.
—Jennifer Lee, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024
Blue sky walls and ceiling matched the lightness of the song, which Eilish sang alongside her brother, producer and co-writer, Finneas, who was on acoustic guitar.
—William Vaillancourt, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2024
Musical theater is the most American art form that exists, all dazzle and jazz hands, but Fitzgerald’s novel draws its power from the lightness of its allusions.
—Lauren Groff, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for lightness
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Cite this Entry
“Lightness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lightness. Accessed 13 Dec. 2024.
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