Lightness: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when describing something that has little weight or is easy to lift or move. It can describe physical qualities or metaphorical ones, such as lightness in mood or spirit.

• The lightness of the balloon made it drift gently in the breeze.
• There was a lightness in her step that day, as if all her worries had vanished.

Describes the condition of having no weight, often used in scientific contexts such as space exploration or physics. It can also describe a feeling of floating or freedom from burdens.

• Astronauts experience weightlessness while orbiting the Earth.
• He felt a sense of weightlessness after finally completing his exams.

Typically used in the context of floating or the ability to float in water. It can also describe a cheerful and optimistic personality.

• The buoyancy of the life jacket kept him afloat in the water.
• Despite the challenges, his natural buoyancy helped him remain positive.

Used to describe something that is as light as or resembling a feather in terms of weight or texture. It's often used in a more poetic or descriptive manner.

• The featheriness of the pillow made it incredibly comfortable to sleep on.
• Her touch had a featheriness to it, so gentle and soft.

Used to describe how light or not heavy something is, or in graphic design and art to refer to the quality of being less dark.

• The lightness of the fabric made it perfect for summer clothing

Describes how much light something emits or reflects, often used in daily conversations and technical contexts related to screens or lights.

• She adjusted the brightness on her phone because it was too dim

Used in technical and scientific contexts, particularly in physics and engineering, referring to the measure of the amount of light that passes through or is emitted from a particular area.

• The luminance levels of the display were adjusted for better visibility

Describes the quality or state of being white, often used in discussions about color, light, and also in sociocultural contexts to discuss racial characteristics.

• The whiteness of the snow was blinding under the bright sun