lightweight
gb/lˈaɪtwˈeɪt/ us/lˈaɪtwˈeɪt/
A2
English
~ 7900
kis súly, könnyű, könnyűség, könnyed, felszínes, súlytalan, könnyűsúlyú, erőforrás-takarékos, könnyen lerészegedik, nem bírja az alkoholt, súlytalan szereplő, jelentéktelen figura, könnyűsúly, könnyűsúlyú súlycsoport
A2
1
Usage pattern:
a lightweight [object]
I bought a lightweight jacket that folds up into my backpack.
Vettem egy könnyű dzsekit, amely összehajtva befér a hátizsákomba.
This stroller is lightweight but still feels very sturdy.
Ez a babakocsi könnyű, mégis nagyon stabilnak tűnik.
For hiking, choose a lightweight tent you can carry by yourself.
The new laptop is lightweight enough to take on the train every day.
They used lightweight materials to reduce the cost of shipping.
Learner examples
She wears a lightweight coat in spring.
Tavasszal könnyű kabátot hord.
This bag is very lightweight, so I can carry it easily.
Ez a táska nagyon könnyű, ezért könnyen tudom vinni.
I need a lightweight chair for camping.
The phone is small and lightweight.
We bought a lightweight suitcase for our trip.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use only "light" instead of "lightweight" before nouns (e.g., *"a light jacket" vs. "a lightweight jacket"). Both are possible, but "lightweight" more strongly emphasizes that the thing is made to be easy to carry or wear.
Meaning
not heavy; easy to carry
Collocations
lightweight jacket
|lightweight laptop
|lightweight fabric
|lightweight suitcase
|lightweight stroller
|lightweight materials
Synonyms
light (Very common general word; can describe weight, color, or intensity, while "lightweight" only describes weight.)
Antonyms
heavy (Describes objects that are difficult to lift or carry because of their weight.)
Themes
objects
|travel
|clothing
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
Definition
Not heavy and easy to carry or wear.
Weighing relatively little; easy to lift, carry, or wear because it is not heavy.
B2
2
Usage pattern:
a lightweight [thing/idea]
It’s a fun, lightweight movie that doesn’t try to say anything deep.
Szórakoztató, könnyed film, amely nem akar semmi mélyet mondani.
The article was criticized as a lightweight piece that ignored the real issues.
A cikket azzal bírálták, hogy súlytalan írás, amely figyelmen kívül hagyta a valódi problémákat.
He gave a rather lightweight answer to a very complex question.
We wanted something lightweight to read on vacation, nothing too intense.
Her early work was dismissed as lightweight compared to her later novels.
Learner examples
The book is a lightweight story for the beach.
A könyv könnyed strandolvasmány.
This is just lightweight entertainment for the weekend.
Ez csak könnyed hétvégi szórakozás.
His speech was lightweight and did not answer the hard questions.
They wanted a lightweight show after a long day.
Some people think pop music is lightweight.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with the physical sense and say things like *"a lightweight problem" only meaning it is easy to solve. In many contexts, calling something "lightweight" also suggests it is not serious or not very important, which can sound dismissive.
Meaning
not serious or important; shallow
Collocations
lightweight comedy
|lightweight novel
|lightweight entertainment
|lightweight argument
|lightweight report
|lightweight discussion
Synonyms
shallow (Often describes people or ideas that are not deep; can sound more negative and judgmental than "lightweight".)
Antonyms
serious (Emphasizes that something deals with important or difficult ideas or problems.)
Themes
opinions
|media
|work
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Not very serious, deep, or important; simple and easy to think about.
Not dealing with serious ideas or issues; lacking importance, depth, or substance.
C1
TECHNICAL
3
Usage pattern:
a lightweight [system/tool/software/process]
We chose a lightweight framework so the app would run smoothly on older phones.
Azért választottunk könnyűsúlyú keretrendszert, hogy az alkalmazás régebbi telefonokon is zökkenőmentesen fusson.
The tool is a lightweight alternative to traditional project management software.
Az eszköz a hagyományos projektmenedzsment-szoftverek könnyűsúlyú alternatívája.
This is a lightweight protocol designed for low-power devices.
They needed a lightweight solution that the team could deploy quickly.
The browser has a lightweight mode that disables heavy features.
Learner examples
This is a lightweight app that opens very fast.
Ez egy könnyűsúlyú alkalmazás, amely nagyon gyorsan megnyílik.
We use a lightweight tool to track our tasks.
Egy könnyűsúlyú eszközt használunk a feladataink nyomon követésére.
The website has a lightweight design and loads quickly.
He wrote a lightweight program for simple tests.
They want a lightweight system that is easy to use.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think "lightweight" in tech means "unimportant" or "weak". In many technical contexts, calling something "lightweight" is positive, suggesting it is efficient and not overloaded with features.
Meaning
simple and low-resource (tech)
Collocations
lightweight framework
|lightweight library
|lightweight protocol
|lightweight client
|lightweight solution
|lightweight application
Synonyms
minimal (Stresses having only the most necessary parts; slightly more formal and abstract than "lightweight".)
Antonyms
heavyweight (In technical contexts, describes software or systems that are large, complex, and use many resources.)
Themes
technology
|computing
|business
Definition
Simple and small, using little memory or power, especially about software or systems.
Designed to be small, simple, and efficient, using few system resources such as memory, processing power, or storage.
NOUN
B2
INFORMAL
4
Usage pattern:
[someone] is a lightweight
I’m such a lightweight—one glass of wine and I’m done.
Én aztán könnyen lerészegedem – egy pohár bor, és végem.
He used to be a total lightweight, but now he can handle a few beers.
Régen egyáltalán nem bírta az alkoholt, de ma már pár sört is meg tud inni.
She warned us she was a lightweight before we ordered cocktails.
Because he’s a bit of a lightweight, he sticks to low-alcohol drinks.
Don’t tease him for being a lightweight; it just means he should drink less.
Learner examples
I am a lightweight, so I drink slowly.
Könnyen lerészegedem, ezért lassan iszom.
She is a lightweight and gets drunk after one beer.
Nem bírja az alkoholt, és egy sör után berúg.
He knows he is a lightweight and does not drink much.
My friend is a lightweight and feels dizzy quickly.
If you are a lightweight, you should be careful with alcohol.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think "lightweight" is positive in this sense. It is usually neutral or slightly self-deprecating when said about yourself, but can sound teasing or rude if said about someone else.
Meaning
person easily affected by alcohol
Collocations
be a lightweight
|such a lightweight
|bit of a lightweight
|total lightweight
|real lightweight
|a complete lightweight
Synonyms
light drinker (Usually means a person who does not drink much alcohol, not necessarily someone who gets drunk easily; overlap in casual talk.)
Antonyms
heavyweight (Informally used for someone who can drink a lot without getting drunk.)
Themes
social
|daily life
|health
|daily_life
Definition
A person who gets drunk easily after just a little alcohol.
A person who becomes drunk or noticeably affected by alcohol after drinking only a small amount.
NOUN
C1
5
Usage pattern:
[someone] is (a) [type] lightweight
Critics dismissed him as a political lightweight with no real experience.
A kritikusok valódi tapasztalat nélküli, súlytalan politikai szereplőnek tartották.
In academic circles, she was seen as an intellectual lightweight.
Tudományos körökben szellemi könnyűsúlyúnak tartották.
They don’t want a lightweight running the department during a crisis.
The debate made him look like a lightweight next to his opponent.
For such a key role, the company can’t afford to hire a lightweight.
Learner examples
Many people think he is a political lightweight.
Sokan úgy gondolják, hogy súlytalan politikai szereplő.
She does not want to be seen as a lightweight at work.
Nem akarja, hogy jelentéktelen figurának tartsák a munkahelyén.
In that meeting, he sounded like a lightweight.
They say the new leader is a bit of a lightweight.
He was called an intellectual lightweight after his weak speech.
Common mistake:
Learners may use this to describe any weak person, but in English it is usually used in a specific area like politics, business, or ideas (e.g., "political lightweight", "intellectual lightweight"). It focuses on influence or seriousness, not physical strength.
Meaning
person with little power or ability
Collocations
political lightweight
|intellectual lightweight
|a complete lightweight
|a bit of a lightweight
|party lightweight
|industry lightweight
Synonyms
nonentity (More formal and stronger; suggests someone is almost not noticed at all.)
Antonyms
heavyweight (Describes a very powerful or important person in a field, especially politics or business.)
Themes
people
|politics
|work
|business
Definition
A person that people do not take very seriously because they do not have much power, skill, or ideas.
A person who is considered to lack strength, ability, or influence in a particular activity or field.
B2
TECHNICAL
6
könnyűsúlyú
B2
Usage pattern:
a lightweight [boxer/fighter/division/bout]
He’s a lightweight boxer with an impressive knockout record.
Könnyűsúlyú ökölvívó, lenyűgöző kiütéses győzelmi mérleggel.
The lightweight division is known for fast, technical fights.
A könnyűsúlyú kategória gyors, technikás küzdelmeiről ismert.
She became the youngest lightweight champion in the organization’s history.
Two rising stars are meeting in a lightweight bout this weekend.
He decided to stay at lightweight instead of moving up in weight.
Learner examples
He is a lightweight boxer.
Könnyűsúlyú bokszoló.
The lightweight division has many good fighters.
A könnyűsúlyú kategóriában sok jó harcos van.
She won the lightweight title last year.
They watched a lightweight fight on TV.
He trains hard to stay in the lightweight class.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this with the general sense "not heavy". In sports, "lightweight" is a fixed name for a weight class and does not mean the person is weak.
Meaning
in the lightweight weight class
Collocations
lightweight boxer
|lightweight division
|lightweight champion
|lightweight title
|lightweight bout
|lightweight contest
Synonyms
lightweight-class (Less common; used only to clarify that something belongs to the lightweight category.)
Antonyms
heavyweight (Describes the highest traditional weight class in boxing and some other combat sports.)
Themes
sports
Definition
Describes a boxer or fighter whose weight is in the lightweight class.
Having a body weight that falls within the lightweight category in combat sports such as boxing or mixed martial arts.
NOUN
B2
TECHNICAL
7
Usage pattern:
fight at lightweight
He normally fights at lightweight but is considering a move to welterweight.
Általában könnyűsúlyban versenyez, de fontolgatja, hogy felmegy váltósúlyba.
She dominated lightweight before challenging for the welterweight belt.
Könnyűsúlyban dominált, mielőtt a váltósúlyú övért szállt harcba.
The tournament will feature champions from featherweight, lightweight, and middleweight.
After struggling to make lightweight, he decided to move up a division.
Lightweight is often seen as one of the most competitive divisions.
Learner examples
He wants to fight at lightweight next year.
Jövőre könnyűsúlyban akar versenyezni.
She moved from lightweight to welterweight.
Könnyűsúlyból váltósúlyba váltott.
Lightweight is a popular weight class in boxing.
There are many fast fighters at lightweight.
He had trouble making lightweight for the last fight.
Common mistake:
Learners may add an article and say *"at a lightweight" when talking about weight class. The correct pattern is "at lightweight" without an article.
Meaning
the lightweight weight category
Collocations
at lightweight
|move up to lightweight
|drop down to lightweight
|compete at lightweight
|fight in lightweight
|the lightweights
Synonyms
lightweight division (More explicit phrase, especially in sports reporting, but refers to the same weight class.)
Antonyms
heavyweight (Names the heaviest traditional weight class, often contrasted with lighter divisions like lightweight.)
Themes
sports
Definition
A weight group in boxing or similar sports, usually between featherweight and welterweight.
The weight class in combat sports such as boxing or mixed martial arts that is typically between featherweight and welterweight.
Grammar
Dictionary form
lightweight
IPA
GB/lˈaɪtwˈeɪt/
US/lˈaɪtwˈeɪt/
Syllables & stress
light - weight (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (light)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: lightweight
Noun
- Base: lightweight
- Plural: lightweights
Word family
Forms
lightweights
noun
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
heavy
adjective A1
heavyweight
adjective
Advanced or less common
Expressions
a bit of a lightweight
1/ə bˈɪt əv ə lˈaɪtwˈeɪt/
fixed phrase
informal
somewhat easily affected by alcohol
Used to say, often in a soft or joking way, that someone gets drunk easily after a small amount of alcohol.
Examples
- I’m a bit of a lightweight, so I’ll just have one drink.
- She admits she’s a bit of a lightweight and never drinks on an empty stomach.
- If you’re a bit of a lightweight, pace yourself at the party.
intellectual lightweight
1/ˌɪntəlˈɛkt͡ʃuəl lˈaɪtwˈeɪt/
fixed phrase
person not strong intellectually
A person who is not very strong at thinking deeply or dealing with complex ideas, especially compared with others.
Examples
- In that group of experts, he felt like an intellectual lightweight.
- Some professors called the book’s author an intellectual lightweight.
- She refuses to be treated as an intellectual lightweight just because she works in television.
lightweight champion
1/lˈaɪtwˈeɪt t͡ʃˈæmpiən/
fixed phrase
technical
holder of lightweight title
The boxer or fighter who is the official winner or title holder in the lightweight weight class.
Examples
- He became the new lightweight champion after a close twelve-round fight.
- She is the reigning lightweight champion of the world.
- The former lightweight champion is planning a comeback.
lightweight jacket
1/lˈaɪtwˈeɪt d͡ʒˈækɪt/
fixed phrase
thin, easy-to-carry jacket
A thin, not heavy jacket that is good for mild weather or for packing in a bag.
Examples
- I always keep a lightweight jacket in my car for cool evenings.
- You’ll only need a lightweight jacket in the summer here.
- He folded his lightweight jacket and put it in his backpack.
lightweight software
1/lˈaɪtwˈeɪt sˈɔftwˌɛɹ/
fixed phrase
technical
software that is small and efficient
Computer software that is small, simple, and does not use much memory or processing power.
Examples
- We use lightweight software on older machines to keep them fast.
- The team built lightweight software that runs well on mobile devices.
- For quick edits, many users prefer lightweight software instead of a full studio package.
lightweight solution
1/lˈaɪtwˈeɪt səlˈuʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
simple, low-complexity solution
A simple and not heavy or complex way to solve a problem, often using fewer tools or less technology.
Examples
- They chose a lightweight solution instead of building a huge new system.
- For this small task, a lightweight solution is better than a full platform.
- We’re looking for a lightweight solution that non-technical staff can use.
political lightweight
1/pəlˈɪtɪkəl lˈaɪtwˈeɪt/
fixed phrase
politician with little influence
A politician who is not very important or powerful and is not taken very seriously.
Examples
- Many voters see him as a political lightweight with no clear plans.
- She started as a political lightweight but later became a major figure in the party.
- Critics dismissed the candidate as a political lightweight who was not ready for national office.