lightweight

1 of 2

noun

light·​weight ˈlīt-ˌwāt 

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

lightweight

2 of 2

adjective

1

: 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

Noun

• cipher
• dwarf
• half-pint
• insect
• insignificancy
• morsel
• nobody
• nonentity
• nothing
• nullity
• number
• pip-squeak
• pygmy
• pigmy
• shrimp
• snippersnapper
• twerp
• whippersnapper
• zero
• zilch

Adjective

• featherlight
• feathery
• light
• underweight
• weightless

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

Noun

Its lightweight and easy to pack back up. $60 $45 at Amazon $60 $45 at BioLite Coleman's portable grill is also still on sale. —Meaghan Kenny, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Dec. 2024

This creamy lipstick provides your pout with full coverage, delivering a mesmerizing, multi-dimensional finish that is transfer-proof and lightweight. —Hyphensocial Contributors, Rolling Stone, 27 Nov. 2024

Adjective

Conceived for long range exploration in comfort, the yacht meets Explorer Ice Class standards and has a robust steel hull mated to a lightweight aluminum superstructure. —Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 23 Dec. 2024

Additional hazards include lightweight volcanic glass fragments that can fall downwind of the fissure vents, potentially causing skin and eye irritation within a few hundred meters of the vents. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1773, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1809, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids 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