lighthearted

See also: light-hearted

English

Alternative forms

• light-hearted

Etymology

From Middle English lyght hertyd, liȝt-hertid, from light (adjective) +‎ herted, hertid (“having a disposition”, adjective) (equivalent to light +‎ hearted), from the noun herte. See more at light, heart, -ed.

Pronunciation

• Audio (US):

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Adjective

lighthearted (comparative more lighthearted, superlative most lighthearted)

1. Joyful, glad, taking pleasure in being alive; not depressed or sad.

   The lighthearted young lovers ran over the hills.

   • 2024 May 1, Charles M. Blow, “Kamala Harris Isn’t Americans’ ‘Momala.’ She’s Our Vice President.”, in The New York Times‎^[1]:

     On Monday, Vice President Kamala Harris appeared on “The Drew Barrymore Show,” and in a lighthearted moment, explained — as she did during the last presidential election cycle — that in her blended family, her stepchildren affectionately call her Momala.

2. Enjoyably lacking of seriousness, not grave.

   His lighthearted banjo performance was appreciated because it relieved the tension in tight situations.

Synonyms

• gladsome
• joyous

 

Derived terms

• lightheartedly (adverb)
• lightheartedness (noun)

 

Related terms

• lightheaded

Translations

joyful

• Dutch: zorgeloos (nl)
• Finnish: ilomielinen
• German: unbeschwert (de), fröhlich (de)
• Irish: aerach
• Italian: spensierato (it) m
• Latin: hilaris (la)
• Polish: beztroski (pl), wesoły (pl)
• Scottish Gaelic: aighearach
• Spanish: desenfadado (es) m, despreocupado (es) m, quitado de la pena m (Mexico)
• Swedish: sorglös (sv), bekymmerslös (sv), glad (sv)

enjoyable lack of seriousness

• Bulgarian: безгрижен (bg) (bezgrižen)
• Dutch: luchtig (nl)
• Esperanto: facilanima
• Finnish: kevytmielinen, hilpeä (fi)
• German: unbeschwert (de)
• Greek: ελαφρός (el) (elafrós)
• Irish: aerach
• Polish: lekki (pl)
• Russian: беззаботный (ru) m (bezzabotnyj)
• Scottish Gaelic: aighearach