plural lightweights
1
: one of less than average weight
specifically
: a boxer in a weight division having a maximum limit of 135 pounds for professionals and 132 pounds for amateurs compare featherweight, welterweight
2
: one of little consequence or ability
a political lightweight
3
: a person who becomes inebriated after consuming relatively small amounts of alcohol or drugs
Even at 6 foot 5 inches tall, Dean was a lightweight, and he sounded to be two drinks in, Johnson said.—
Kate Sosin
Kate Sosin1
: lacking in earnestness, ability, or profundity : inconsequential
a lightweight painter
a lightweight TV series
2
: having less than average weight
lightweight fabrics
3
: of, relating to, or characteristic of a lightweight
the lightweight championship
Synonyms
Examples of lightweight in a Sentence
Noun
The members of his staff were considered lightweights.
among astronomers she's considered a lightweight
Adjective
it's going to be hot, so wear mostly lightweight clothing
Recent Examples on the Web
Ali Faccenda, Travel + Leisure, 13 Feb. 2025
The Nurmagomedov-Hughes fight is especially interesting and important because the two lightweights are good enough to perform—and perhaps contend—in the UFC.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
Kiana Murden, Vogue, 15 Feb. 2025
With a better processor, great battery, and a lightweight build, this is a fast device that will give you many of the features users love in the Apple Watch, such as fitness and sleep trackers, heart rate monitoring, and crash detection.
—Gabriela Vatu, PCMAG, 15 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for lightweight 
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Noun
Shoppers swear by this 20-inch lightweight carry-on that accompanied one person on a 12-day trip to Europe and even held up against cobblestone roads.
—Ali Faccenda, Travel + Leisure, 13 Feb. 2025
The Nurmagomedov-Hughes fight is especially interesting and important because the two lightweights are good enough to perform—and perhaps contend—in the UFC.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
This crowd-favorite’s appeal lies in its dreamy, serum-y formula that applies to skin like your favorite lightweight moisturizer.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 15 Feb. 2025
With a better processor, great battery, and a lightweight build, this is a fast device that will give you many of the features users love in the Apple Watch, such as fitness and sleep trackers, heart rate monitoring, and crash detection.
—Gabriela Vatu, PCMAG, 15 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for lightweight
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Dictionary Entries Near lightweight
Cite this Entry
“Lightweight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lightweight. Accessed 18 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
lightweight
1 of 2 noun
light·weight
ˈlīt-ˌwāt 
1
: one of less than average weight
especially
: a boxer in a weight division having an upper limit of about 135 pounds
2
: a person of little importance
lightweight
2 of 2 adjective
: having less than the usual or expected weight
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