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
Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
The music feels like a murder mystery caper, propelled by urgency yet never losing its lightness.
—Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 13 Sep. 2025
Such lightness of materials was well suited to Dubai, where Zegna presented the collection in June, leaving a gaping hole in the Milan Fashion Week schedule (the brand typically closes out the event).
—Naomi Rougeau, Robb Report, 13 Sep. 2025
The unique construction of the YH-C3000 strikes a balance between lightness, rigidity and internal damping.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lightness
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Noun
The scent is smoky yet sweet, spicy yet smooth, dark but with an underlying lightness—the result of combining clean white musk with rose, tobacco, suede, and cumin.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
The music feels like a murder mystery caper, propelled by urgency yet never losing its lightness.
—Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 13 Sep. 2025
Such lightness of materials was well suited to Dubai, where Zegna presented the collection in June, leaving a gaping hole in the Milan Fashion Week schedule (the brand typically closes out the event).
—Naomi Rougeau, Robb Report, 13 Sep. 2025
The unique construction of the YH-C3000 strikes a balance between lightness, rigidity and internal damping.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 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 17 Sep. 2025.
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