lightweight

English

Alternative forms

• light-weight

Etymology

From light (“not heavy”, adjective) +‎ weight (noun).

Pronunciation

• (noun): IPA^(key): /ˈlaɪt.weɪt/
• (adjective): IPA^(key): /laɪtˈweɪt/

• Audio (US):

  (file)

Noun

lightweight (plural lightweights)

1. (combat sports) A particular weight class, or member of such, as prescribed by the rules, between that of the heavier welterweight and the lighter featherweight. See Wikipedia for the specifics of each sport.
2. (rowing) A particular weight category as prescribed by the rules, separate from an open or heavyweight class.
3. (weightlifting) A competitive weight division as prescribed by the rules, between the heavier middleweight and the lighter featherweight.
4. One of little consequence or ability.
5. A person who cannot handle their drink; one who gets drunk on very little alcohol.
   1. (by extension) A person with low endurance.
6. A political candidate with little chance of winning

Translations

boxer

• Chinese:

  Mandarin: please add this translation if you can

• Danish: letvægt
• Esperanto: please add this translation if you can
• Finnish: kevytsarjalainen
• French: poids léger (fr) m
• Galician: peso lixeiro m
• (deprecated template usage) {{trans-mid}}
• German: Leichtgewicht (de) n, Leichtgewichtler m
• Norwegian: lettvekt
• Portuguese: peso-leve
• Romanian: categorie ușoară (ro) f
• Spanish: peso ligero m
• Swedish: lättvikt (sv)
• Tagalog: magaantimbang

bodybuilding: competitive weight division between bantamweight and welterweight

• Finnish: kevytsarja
• (deprecated template usage) {{trans-mid}}

one of little consequence or ability

• Finnish: kevytsarjalainen
• (deprecated template usage) {{trans-mid}}
• German: Dünnbrettbohrer (de) m

person who can't handle their drink

• Finnish: juoppo (fi)
• (deprecated template usage) {{trans-mid}}
• Portuguese: fraco (pt)

Adjective

lightweight (comparative more lightweight, superlative most lightweight)

1. Lacking in earnestness, ability, or profundity
2. Having less than average weight
3. Lacking in strength
   • 2011 September 13, Sam Lyon, “Borussia Dortmund 1 - 1 Arsenal”, in BBC‎^[1]:

     With the Gunners far too lightweight in midfield, Mikel Arteta dropped back into a deeper-lying role. This freed Yossi Benayoun to go further forward, a move that helped forge a rare Arsenal chance on 30 minutes when the Israeli released Van Persie, only for the Dutchman's snap-shot to be tipped around the post.

4. (computing) Having a small footprint or performance impact

Translations

lacking in earnestness, ability, or profundity

• Finnish: köykäinen (fi)
• (deprecated template usage) {{trans-mid}}
• German: dünnbrettbohrerisch

having less than average weight

• Dutch: lichtgewicht (nl)
• Finnish: kevyt (fi), kevytrakenteinen, köykäinen (fi)
• French: léger (fr)
• German: leichtgewichtig
• (deprecated template usage) {{trans-mid}}
• Greek: ελαφρύς (el) m (elafrýs)
• Portuguese: leve (pt)
• Romanian: ușor (ro) (subponderal)

lacking in strength

• German: schwach (de), leistungsarm
• (deprecated template usage) {{trans-mid}}

having a small footprint or performance impact

• German: abgespeckt (de)
• (deprecated template usage) {{trans-mid}}