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 SeawrightExamples 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
Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
Meanwhile, biker boots—with their rugged aesthetic, thick soles, and metal hardware—provide visual weight, structure, and an air of rebellion that contrasts perfectly with the lightness of the shorts.
—René Chávez Esparza, Glamour, 4 July 2025
For sports car engineers, this is a particular challenge because lightness is, in many ways, the name of the game.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 29 May 2025
When the theme arrived in the cellos, Guerrero maintained their levity and grace throughout the movement — and, in fact, throughout much of the piece, bringing an aerodynamic lightness even to the symphony’s final cadence.
—Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for lightness
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Noun
This lends the suit a kind of lightness that only a royal clothes horse such as Prince Michael could pull off.
—Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025
Meanwhile, biker boots—with their rugged aesthetic, thick soles, and metal hardware—provide visual weight, structure, and an air of rebellion that contrasts perfectly with the lightness of the shorts.
—René Chávez Esparza, Glamour, 4 July 2025
For sports car engineers, this is a particular challenge because lightness is, in many ways, the name of the game.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 29 May 2025
When the theme arrived in the cellos, Guerrero maintained their levity and grace throughout the movement — and, in fact, throughout much of the piece, bringing an aerodynamic lightness even to the symphony’s final cadence.
—Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for lightness
Cite this Entry
“Lightness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lightness. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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