lightweight

/ˈlaɪt.weɪt/

//ˈlaɪt.weɪt// noun

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

"lightweight" is a 11-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“lightweight” has 18 generated spelling variants in the English index at frequency #9,914. The variants make it a useful spelling check.

#9,914
frequency rank, English
16,425
“L” headwords
18
tracked misspellings

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - 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.

Key facts for lightweight
PropertyValue
Headwordlightweight
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechNoun
IPA/ˈlaɪt.weɪt/
Letters11
Frequency rank#9,914
Misspellings tracked18
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “lightweight” sits in English frequency

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right). lightweight lands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

A misspelling magnet

The generator records 18 spelling variants around lightweight (IPA /ˈlaɪt.weɪt/), anoun. Corpus frequency is #9,914 among 16,425 “L” headwords. Wiktionary lists 8 senses, so context still picks the gloss.

Our generated misspelling index lists 18 likely wrong-spelling variants for lightweight, with forms such as "ilghtweight", "lgihtweight", and "ligghtweight". Each of these forms differs from the correct spelling by one small edit: a doubled letter, a dropped silent letter, or a substituted vowel. No close-neighbour confusable shows up for this headword in our dataset, a sign it's visually distinctive enough not to be mixed up with another word.

Etymologically, the entry records: From light (“not heavy”, adjective) + weight (noun). The correct English form is lightweight, spelled L-I-G-H-T-W-E-I-G-H-T.

Definition

  1. 1
    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. 2
    A particular weight category as prescribed by the rules, separate from an open or heavyweight class.
  3. 3
    A competitive weight division as prescribed by the rules, between the heavier middleweight and the lighter featherweight.
  4. 4
    One of little consequence or ability.
  5. 5
    A person who cannot handle their drink; one who gets drunk on very little alcohol.
  6. 6
    A person with low endurance.
  7. 7
    A political candidate with little chance of winning.
  8. 8
    Something that is light in weight, or relatively so.

Etymology

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

This word in other languages

poids léger(Français)Leichtgewicht(Deutsch)peso-leve(Português)

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as:

  • ilghtweight
  • lgihtweight
  • ligghtweight
  • lighhtweight
  • lightewight
  • lighttweight
  • lightwegiht
  • lightweigght
  • lightweighht
  • lightweightt
  • lightweigth
  • lightweihgt
  • lightwieght
  • lightwweight
  • lighwteight
  • ligthweight
  • lihgtweight
  • llightweight

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of lightweight - expressed in single-character edits (insert, delete, or swap one letter). Bigger bars stand out at a glance; a one-edit slip is the hardest to catch.

ilghtweight2lgihtweight2ligghtweight1lighhtweight1lightewight2lighttweight1lightwegiht2lightweigght1
Edit distance from "lightweight"

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "lightweight"?
"lightweight" is spelled L-I-G-H-T-W-E-I-G-H-T. The IPA pronunciation is /ˈlaɪt.weɪt/.
What does "lightweight" mean?
As a noun, "lightweight" means: 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.
What are common misspellings of "lightweight"?
Common misspellings include "ilghtweight", "lgihtweight", "ligghtweight", "lighhtweight", "lightewight". The correct spelling is "lightweight".
How do you pronounce "lightweight"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "lightweight" is /ˈlaɪt.weɪt/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "lightweight"?
From light (“not heavy”, adjective) + weight (noun). See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “lightweight”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

  • The one correct English spelling is L-I-G-H-T-W-E-I-G-H-T - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /ˈlaɪt.weɪt/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words

Same frequency band

Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list FrequencyWords open word-frequency list