lightsome

1
[ lahyt-suhm ]
See synonyms for lightsome on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. light, especially in form, appearance, or movement; airy; buoyant; agile; nimble; graceful.

  2. cheerful; lighthearted.

  1. frivolous; changeable.

Origin of lightsome

1
1350–1400; Middle English lyghtesum (cognate with Middle High German līhtsam). See light2, -some1

Other words from lightsome

  • light·some·ly, adverb
  • light·some·ness, noun

Other definitions for lightsome (2 of 2)

lightsome2
[ lahyt-suhm ]

adjective
  1. emitting or reflecting light; luminous.

  2. well-lighted; illuminated; bright.

Origin of lightsome

2
First recorded in 1400–50, lightsome is from the late Middle English word lyghtesum.See light1, -some1

Other words from lightsome

  • light·some·ly, adverb
  • light·some·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use lightsome in a sentence

  • "Do so, by all means," said Pauline lightsomely, entering the carriage.

  • Recall how lightsomely it ran down the snowy slope, from the Big Chimney Cabin to the river trail, that morning they set forth.

    The Magnetic North | Elizabeth Robins (C. E. Raimond)
  • Whereupon they resumed their journey lightsomely, happily, northward.

    The Red Tavern | Charles Raymond Macauley
  • Hawthorne said: "Happiness may walk soberly in dark attire as well as dance lightsomely in a gala-dress."

British Dictionary definitions for lightsome (1 of 2)

lightsome1

/ (ˈlaɪtsəm) /


adjectivearchaic, or poetic
  1. lighthearted

  2. airy or buoyant

  1. not serious; frivolous

Derived forms of lightsome

  • lightsomely, adverb
  • lightsomeness, noun

British Dictionary definitions for lightsome (2 of 2)

lightsome2

/ (ˈlaɪtsəm) /


adjectivearchaic, or poetic
  1. producing or reflecting light

  2. full of or flooded with light

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012