adjective / adverb
light
Having little weight or burden.
This backpack is light enough to carry on long hikes.
Etymology
Old English lēoht meant light in weight. This inherited adjective retains that sense and extends it to burdens that require little effort to carry or bear.
More examples
- We travel light, with just one small bag each.
- Choose the lighter box if your back hurts.
- My workload is light while most clients are on vacation.
Forms
light · lighter · lightest
lightness noun — The quality of having little weight.
Similar words
- lightweight
- Emphasizes low weight for an object's size or purpose.
- weightless
- Means having no apparent weight, not merely little weight.