Word
weightless
Phoneticsweight·less, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈweɪtɫəs/
UK/wˈeɪtləs/
Definition
adj. feeling like you weigh nothing, as if you are floating with no gravity pulling you down. You use it for astronauts in space or for a light, easy feeling.
adj. having no apparent weight, as in free fall or orbit where the effects of gravity are not felt. Often extended to describe a sensation of lightness or freedom from burden.
Examples
“The feather feels almost weightless in my hand.”
“The astronaut feels weightless as she floats inside the space station.”
“After the long hike, he lay in the cool lake and felt weightless, with every tired muscle finally free to relax.”
Examples
simple
“The feather feels almost weightless in my hand.”
contextual
“The astronaut feels weightless as she floats inside the space station.”
complex
“After the long hike, he lay in the cool lake and felt weightless, with every tired muscle finally free to relax.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “weightless” in context.
Verb
01. appear weightless
“The jellyfish appear weightless as they drift in the water.”
verb + adj
02. become weightless
“Objects become weightless for a short time during the flight.”
verb + adj
03. drift weightless
“The leaves drift weightless in the still air.”
verb + adj
04. feel weightless
“You feel weightless when you float in the Dead Sea.”
verb + adj
05. float weightless
“The astronaut learned to float weightless inside the station.”
verb + adj
06. hang weightless
“Dust particles hang weightless in the beam of light.”
verb + adj
Adjective
07. almost weightless
“The new jacket is almost weightless, perfect for long hikes.”
adv + adj
08. completely weightless
“In the deep pool, she felt completely weightless for a few seconds.”
adv + adj
09. become weightless in orbit
“The crew will become weightless in orbit within minutes.”
10. enjoy a weightless moment
“She closed her eyes to enjoy a weightless moment in the pool.”
11. feel completely weightless in water
“You can feel completely weightless in water in the salt lake.”
12. float weightless in space
“Astronauts can float weightless in space outside the station.”
Real-World Examples
“Then, as the plane gets ready to nosedive back down, there's a moment when we become weightless for about 20 seconds.” “After almost a year without fresh air in the cramped, near-weightless environment of the International Space Station (ISS), American astronaut Scott Kelly and Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko seemed remarkably healthy when they touched down back on Earth.” “He went where few artists had gone before in 2008 with an experiment to paint in weightless conditions aboard a Russian parabolic aircraft, and his show opens in London this week.” Etymology
From weight + -less.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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