lightweight
not heavy; easy to carry
Not heavy and easy to carry or wear.
a lightweight [object]
- I bought a lightweight jacket that folds up into my backpack.
- This stroller is lightweight but still feels very sturdy.
- 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.
- She wears a lightweight coat in spring.
- This bag is very lightweight, so I can carry it easily.
- I need a lightweight chair for camping.
- The phone is small and lightweight.
- We bought a lightweight suitcase for our trip.
not serious or important; shallow
Not very serious, deep, or important; simple and easy to think about.
a lightweight [thing/idea]
- It’s a fun, lightweight movie that doesn’t try to say anything deep.
- The article was criticized as a lightweight piece that ignored the real issues.
- 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.
- The book is a lightweight story for the beach.
- This is just lightweight entertainment for the weekend.
- 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.
simple and low-resource (tech)
Simple and small, using little memory or power, especially about software or systems.
a lightweight [system/tool/software/process]
- We chose a lightweight framework so the app would run smoothly on older phones.
- The tool is a lightweight alternative to traditional project management software.
- 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.
- This is a lightweight app that opens very fast.
- We use a lightweight tool to track our tasks.
- 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.
person easily affected by alcohol
A person who gets drunk easily after just a little alcohol.
[someone] is a lightweight
- I’m such a lightweight—one glass of wine and I’m done.
- He used to be a total lightweight, but now he can handle a few beers.
- 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.
- I am a lightweight, so I drink slowly.
- She is a lightweight and gets drunk after one beer.
- 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.
person with little power or ability
A person that people do not take very seriously because they do not have much power, skill, or ideas.
[someone] is (a) [type] lightweight
- Critics dismissed him as a political lightweight with no real experience.
- In academic circles, she was seen as an intellectual lightweight.
- 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.
- Many people think he is a political lightweight.
- She does not want to be seen as a lightweight at work.
- 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.
in the lightweight weight class
Describes a boxer or fighter whose weight is in the lightweight class.
a lightweight [boxer/fighter/division/bout]
- He’s a lightweight boxer with an impressive knockout record.
- The lightweight division is known for fast, technical fights.
- 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.
- He is a lightweight boxer.
- The lightweight division has many good fighters.
- She won the lightweight title last year.
- They watched a lightweight fight on TV.
- He trains hard to stay in the lightweight class.
the lightweight weight category
A weight group in boxing or similar sports, usually between featherweight and welterweight.
fight at lightweight
- He normally fights at lightweight but is considering a move to welterweight.
- She dominated lightweight before challenging for the welterweight belt.
- 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.
- He wants to fight at lightweight next year.
- She moved from lightweight to welterweight.
- Lightweight is a popular weight class in boxing.
- There are many fast fighters at lightweight.
- He had trouble making lightweight for the last fight.
- Base: lightweight
- Base: lightweight
- Plural: lightweights
a bit of a lightweight
1somewhat 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.
- 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
1person not strong intellectually
A person who is not very strong at thinking deeply or dealing with complex ideas, especially compared with others.
- 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
1holder of lightweight title
The boxer or fighter who is the official winner or title holder in the lightweight weight class.
- 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
1thin, easy-to-carry jacket
A thin, not heavy jacket that is good for mild weather or for packing in a bag.
- 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
1software that is small and efficient
Computer software that is small, simple, and does not use much memory or processing power.
- 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
1simple, low-complexity solution
A simple and not heavy or complex way to solve a problem, often using fewer tools or less technology.
- 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
1politician with little influence
A politician who is not very important or powerful and is not taken very seriously.
- 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.