lightness1
/ˈlʌɪtnəs
/noun [mass noun]
1The state of having a sufficient or considerable amount of natural light: the glass adds lightness to the room the lightness of the internal spaces...
- The noticeable interior lightness is thanks to the Teflon panels of the movable roof structure.
- Wherever possible, he has maximized visual distances creating a sense of space and lightness.
- Glazed facades on the north and south sides both screen the building and enhance its pervading impression of lightness.
2The quality of being pale in colour: the lightness of my skin the lightness of her silky hair...
- The lightness or darkness of a color affects whether it can absorb or reflect heat and light.
- A simple shift in a color's shade (its lightness or darkness) can determine whether a particular combination works.
- The lightness of stucco was used to great effect by the sculptor for his decorations in Sicily.
lightness2
/ˈlʌɪtnəs/noun [mass noun]
1The quality of having little weight: you can have the strength of steel with the lightness of aluminium...
- Finely crafted and detailed, the lightness of the structure is immediately apparent.
- We encounter the same lightness as we wade into a swimming pool.
- The hull was far out of the water because of the lightness of the ship.
2Lack of density, thickness, or richness: the lightness of the material makes them perfect for warm weather I love the lightness of tempura batter...
- I think diners are surprised at the lightness of my dishes.
- There was a definite lightness of touch to the grilled red mullet fillets.
- The meatless croquettes have a surprising lightness and a lively upper register of dill.
3Lack of pressure, force, or heaviness of movement: the lightness of bow on strings...
- You can often overcome somebody with a lot more physical strength just by your agility and lightness of movement.
- She and danced her first solo with gossamer lightness and fluidity.
- Innumerable small parts move against each other in the endeavour to combine lightness, response, and speed of action with weight and power of tone.
3.1The quality of being gentle or delicate in style: he lacked lightness of touch in his designs the lightness of her approach remains unique...
- The script has a delightful lightness of touch, beautifully rendered by the cast.
- She writes with a real lightness of touch.
- The album leaves the listener to revel within the lightness of its subtle movements and statements.
4The quality of requiring little mental effort; lack of depth or seriousness: the lightness of the dialogue made it frivolous...
- This book has an airy lightness and inconsequentiality about it.
- These last features give the whole design some kitsch and lightness.
- Shot in a straightforward style, the film strikes an unusual balance between seriousness and lightness.
4.1The quality of being cheerful: a charm and lightness of heart there was a lightness of mood on the streets...
- It's a book that moves between lightness and darkness.
- He radiates an ineluctable lightness of being.
- I've got such energy and lightness of spirit that I feel as though I've been reborn.
4.2The quality of being easily borne or done: none objected to the lightness of the sentence...
- Many people were concerned at the lightness of the sentence.
- The present offensive is unprecedented in its speed and daring and in the lightness of casualties.
- The relative lightness of this sentence is explained as the judge observed the motivation for his offence.