What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
massless
Example
Photons are considered massless particles. [massless: adjective]
Example
In the ideal gas law, molecules are assumed to be massless. [massless: adjective]
weightless
Example
Astronauts experience weightlessness in space due to microgravity. [weightlessness: noun]
Example
The rollercoaster ride gave me a momentary feeling of weightlessness. [weightlessness: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Weightless is more commonly used than massless in everyday language. Weightless is a term that is used in various contexts, including space travel, amusement park rides, and sports, while massless is a more specialized term used mainly in physics and science.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between massless and weightless?
Both massless and weightless are technical terms used in scientific contexts, making them more formal in tone. However, weightless is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal settings, while massless is less common and is mainly used in academic or scientific writing.
