French Conversation · Level 117
58 words
French word
légèreté
Pronunciation
IPA/leʒɛʁəte/
Meaning
- feminine nounlightness
Example
La légèreté de ce sac m'a surpris.
I was surprised by the lightness of this bag.
More examples
On sent la légèreté des mouvements du chat.
You can feel the lightness of the cat's movements.
Core concept
An impression of effortless, graceful motion or handling that can also suggest an insufficiently serious attitude.
Common phrases
la légèreté des mouvements
the lightness of the movements
sentir la légèreté
feel the lightness
Similar words
souplesse: The ability of a body or material to bend and return to its original shape.
aisance: Natural ease and composure in movement or conversation.
Definition in French
Qualité d'un geste ou d'un objet qui paraît peu lourd et qui se meut avec facilité et grâce, parfois employée au figuré pour un manque de gravité.
Word origin
The noun légèreté developed from Old French légiereté, built on léger and the suffix -eté, from Latin levis through French historical forms.
Usage tips
- With a person or their conduct, légèreté can suggest frivolity or carelessness, while with movement it is usually favorable.
Other meanings
- levitynoun
Opposites
- lourdeurheavinessnoun
Related words
- allégélightenedadjective
- légerlightadjective