Meanings
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1
adj
weighing less than average or less than comparable objects of the same kind
Engineers chose a lightweight alloy to reduce the aircraft's fuel use.
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2
adj
lacking seriousness, depth, importance, or influence
The editor rejected the article as a lightweight treatment of a complex issue.
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3
noun
a competitor in a relatively light weight class, especially the boxing division between featherweight and welterweight
The boxer won the national title as a lightweight before moving to a heavier division.
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4
noun
a person or thing regarded as having little importance, ability, or endurance
His opponents dismissed him as a political lightweight, but he won the election.
Thesaurus
Etymology
A compound of light, in its "not heavy" sense, + weight. It first named a person or thing below average weight and then became a formal combat-sports class. Figurative senses transfer low weight to limited seriousness, influence, ability, or endurance.