lighthearted

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   cheerful and carefree, without anxiety or gloom

   After weeks of worry, their lighthearted laughter was a welcome sound.

2. 2
   adj

   amusing, playful, and not intended to be serious

   The host kept the discussion lighthearted without ignoring the difficult issue.

From Middle English light-hearted, a compound of light in the sense 'free from a burden' + hearted, 'having a specified disposition.' The word describes a heart figuratively unweighed by care. Lightheaded is similarly formed but has a distinct meaning and should not be confused with it.

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