English Reference
Noun

lightness

n.
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ˈɫaɪtnəs/ UK /lˈaɪtnəs/ light·ness UK spelling lightnesses

n.the quality of being not heavy or difficult to lift. It can also describe a feeling of being free from worry or a style that is simple and easy to understand.

n.the quality of being not heavy in weight or difficult to lift; also refers to a state of mental freedom from burdens or a stylistic quality of simplicity and grace.


SIMPLE

The lightness of the fabric makes it perfect for summer.

CONTEXTUAL

After the long hike, the lightness of the backpack felt like a great relief.

COMPLEX

The architect's design achieved a remarkable lightness of touch, balancing structural integrity with an airy, open-plan aesthetic that felt entirely weightless.

In the second experiment, the researchers aimed to see whether this effect could carry over to a more realistic situation by increasing or decreasing hair lightness.

Phys.org· 12 Aug 2026

Etymology 1

From Middle English lightnes, lightnesse, from Old English līhtnes, lȳhtnys (“enlightening, illumination”), from Proto-West Germanic *liuhtinassī; equivalent to light (“to make bright, illuminate”, verb) + -ness (suffix forming nouns). Cognate with Old High German liuhtnissi (“illumination, enlightening”).

Etymology 2

From Middle English lightnes, lightnesse, from Old English *lēohtnes (“lightness”) (compare Old English lēohtmōdnes (“lightness”, literally “light-moodedness”), līhtingnes (“lightness, alleviation”)); equivalent to light (“not heavy”, adjective) + -ness (suffix forming nouns). Cognate with Middle Low German luchtnisse, lüchtnisse (“lightness, frivolity, joyfulness”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin gmw-pro *liuhtinassī
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated