lightness
1 of 2noun (1)
light·ness ˈlīt-nəs 
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 Seawrightlightness
2 of 2noun (2)
1
: the quality or state of being light especially in weight
2
: lack of seriousness and stability of character often accompanied by casual heedlessness
3
a
: the quality or state of being nimble
b
: an ease and gaiety of style or manner
4
: a lack of weightiness or force : delicacy
Synonyms
Noun (1)
- brightness
- brilliance
- brilliancy
- candor
- dazzle
- effulgence
- illumination
- lambency
- luminance
- luminosity
- luminousness
- luster
- lustre
- lustrousness
- radiance
- refulgence
- splendor
Noun (2)
- slightness
- weightlessness
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Word History
First Known Use
Noun (1)
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun (2)
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
lightness 1 of 2
noun (1)
1
as in slightness
the state or quality of having little weight the first thing I noticed about the little bird was its lightness; I could hardly tell I was holding it in my hand Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- slightness
- weightlessness
- airiness
- fluffiness
- ethereality
- insubstantiality
- etherealness
- delicacy
- flimsiness
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- heaviness
- solidity
- weightiness
- ponderousness
- massiveness
- solidness
- substantiality
- heftiness
2
as in cheerfulness
a lack of seriousness often at an improper time the inappropriate lightness of the anchorman's tone while he was reading the story of the freak accident in which people had died Synonyms & Similar Words
- cheerfulness
- levity
- glee
- silliness
- frivolity
- frivolousness
- flippancy
- facetiousness
- festivity
- flightiness
- lightheartedness
- frothiness
- mirth
- joviality
- cheer
- childishness
- gaiety
- light-mindedness
- goofiness
- hilarity
- light-headedness
- mirthfulness
- gleefulness
- merriment
- gayety
- puerility
- high-spiritedness
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- gravity
- seriousness
- earnestness
- solemnity
- soberness
- sadness
- melancholy
- solemnness
- unhappiness
- moroseness
- gloom
- dejection
- depression
- gloominess
- sullenness
- despondency
- joylessness
- heartsickness
- dispiritedness
- downheartedness
- mopes
lightness
2 of 2noun (2)
as in brightness
the quality or state of having or giving off light the photographer was concerned that the lightness of the background would cast the main subject into shadow Synonyms & Similar Words
- brightness
- brilliancy
- brilliance
- luminosity
- illumination
- light
- luminousness
- radiance
- glow
- luminance
- candor
- luster
- glare
- effulgence
- lambency
- splendor
- glint
- dazzle
- lustre
- lustrousness
- refulgence
- gleam
- luminescence
- flicker
- sheen
- incandescence
- twinkle
- fluorescence
- shininess
- sparkle
- flame
- flare
- shimmer
- polish
- glimmer
- blaze
- gloss
- flash
- fire
- shine
- burnish
- glitter
- scintillation
- glisten
- flash
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- dullness
- darkness
- blackness
- dulness
- duskiness
- dark
- dimness
- somberness
- gloominess
- haziness
- cloudiness
- obscurity
- paleness
- murkiness
- grayness
- colorlessness
- obscureness
- shadiness
- shadowiness
- lackluster