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light definition

Overview

This page has 72 definitions of light with English translations in 5 languages. Light is a noun, verb, an adjective and adverb. Examples of how to use light in a sentence are shown. Also define these 0 related words and terms: .

See also: Light

English light definition

Alternative forms

Pronunciation

Etymology 1
A city illuminated by colorful artificial lighting at night

From Middle English light, liht, leoht, from Old English lēoht, from Proto-West Germanic *leuht, from Proto-Germanic *leuhtą, from Proto-Indo-European *lewktom, from the root *lewk- (“light”).

Cognate with Scots licht (“light”), West Frisian ljocht (“light”), Dutch licht (“light”), Low German licht (“light”), German Licht (“light”). Related also to Swedish ljus (“light”), Icelandic ljós (“light”), Latin lūx (“light”), Russian луч (luč, “beam of light”), Armenian լույս (luys, “light”), Ancient Greek λευκός (leukós, “white”), and Persian رُخش‎ (roxš).

Noun

light (countable and uncountable, plural lights)

  1. (physics, uncountable) Visible electromagnetic radiation. The human eye can typically detect radiation (light) in the wavelength range of about 400 to 750 nanometers. Nearby shorter and longer wavelength ranges, although not visible, are commonly called ultraviolet and infrared light.
    As you can see, this spacious dining-room gets a lot of light in the mornings.
    • 1897 December (indicated as 1898), Winston Churchill, chapter V, in The Celebrity: An Episode, New York, N.Y.: The Macmillan Company; London: Macmillan & Co., Ltd., OCLC 222716698:
      Then came a maid with hand-bag and shawls, and after her a tall young lady. She stood for a moment holding her skirt above the grimy steps, […] , and the light of the reflector fell full upon her.
    • 1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 3, in The China Governess‎[1]:
      Here the stripped panelling was warmly gold and the pictures, mostly of the English school, were mellow and gentle in the afternoon light.
    • 2013 July 20, “Out of the gloom”, in The Economist, volume 408, number 8845:
      [Rural solar plant] schemes are of little help to industry or other heavy users of electricity. Nor is solar power yet as cheap as the grid. For all that, the rapid arrival of electric light to Indian villages is long overdue. When the national grid suffers its next huge outage, as it did in July 2012 when hundreds of millions were left in the dark, look for specks of light in the villages.
    • 2016, VOA Learning English (public domain)
      When the studio light is on, I am recording my evening show.
      Audio (US)(file)
  2. A source of illumination.
    Put that light out!
  3. (figuratively) Spiritual or mental illumination; enlightenment, useful information.
    Can you throw any light on this problem?
  4. (in the plural, now rare) Facts; pieces of information; ideas, concepts.
  5. A notable person within a specific field or discipline.
    Picasso was one of the leading lights of the cubist movement.
  6. (painting) The manner in which the light strikes a picture; that part of a picture which represents those objects upon which the light is supposed to fall; the more illuminated part of a landscape or other scene; opposed to shade.
  7. A point of view, or aspect from which a concept, person or thing is regarded.
    I'm really seeing you in a different light today.
    Magoon's governorship in Cuba was viewed in a negative light by many Cuban historians for years thereafter.
    • 1692–1717, Robert South, Twelve Sermons Preached upon Several Occasions, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), 6th edition, London: […] J[ames] Bettenham, for Jonah Bowyer, […], published 1727, OCLC 21766567:
      , "Why Christ's Doctrine was Rejected by the Jews"
      Frequent consideration of a thing […] shows it in its several lights and various ways of appearance.
    • 1945 August 17, George Orwell [pseudonym; Eric Arthur Blair], chapter 3, in Animal Farm […], London: Secker & Warburg, OCLC 3655473:
      Now if there was one thing that the animals were completely certain of, it was that they did not want Jones back. When it was put to them in this light, they had no more to say.
  8. A flame or something used to create fire.
    • 1913, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, The Poison Belt‎[2]:
      "There will, I expect, be many such - possibly whole cities in flames - when we consider how many folk may have dropped with lights in their hands."
    1. (slang) A cigarette lighter.
      Hey, buddy, you got a light?
  9. A firework made by filling a case with a substance which burns brilliantly with a white or coloured flame.
    a Bengal light
  10. A window in architecture, carriage design, or motor car design: either the opening itself or the window pane of glass that fills it, if any.
    This facade has eight south-facing lights.
    Hyponyms: backlight, sidelight, transom
  11. The series of squares reserved for the answer to a crossword clue.
    The average length of a light on a 15×15 grid is 7 or 8.
  12. (informal) A cross-light in a double acrostic or triple acrostic.
  13. Open view; a visible state or condition; public observation; publicity.
  14. The power of perception by vision.
  15. The brightness of the eye or eyes.
  16. A traffic light, or, by extension, an intersection controlled by one or more that will face a traveler who is receiving instructions.
    To get to our house, turn right at the third light.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Hyponyms
forms of illumination (sense 2)
 
Derived terms
 
Descendants
Translations
See light/translations § Noun.

References

Etymology 2

From Middle English lighten, lihten, from Old English līehtan (“to light, to shine”), from Proto-Germanic *liuhtijaną, from *leuhtą +‎ *-janą. Cognate with German leuchten (“to shine”).

Verb

light (third-person singular simple present lights, present participle lighting, simple past and past participle lit or lighted or (obsolete) light)

  1. (transitive) To start (a fire).
    Synonym: set
    Antonyms: extinguish, put out, quench
    We lit the fire to get some heat.
  2. (transitive) To set fire to; to set burning.
    Synonyms: ignite, kindle, conflagrate
    Antonyms: extinguish, put out, quench
    She lit her last match.
    • 1627, G[eorge] H[akewill], An Apologie of the Povver and Prouidence of God in the Gouernment of the VVorld. […], Oxford, Oxfordshire: […] Iohn Lichfield and VVilliam Turner, […], OCLC 863459859:
      if a thousand candles be all lighted from one
  3. (transitive) To illuminate; to provide light for when it is dark.
    Synonyms: illuminate, light up
    I used my torch to light the way home through the woods in the night.
  4. (intransitive) To become ignited; to take fire.
    Synonyms: catch fire, ignite, conflagrate
    This soggy match will not light.
  5. To attend or conduct with a light; to show the way to by means of a light.
  6. (transitive, pinball) To make (a bonus) available to be collected by hitting a target, and thus light up the feature light corresponding to that bonus to indicate its availability.
    Light the extra ball by amassing 500 million points in the wizard mode.
Derived terms
 
Related terms
 
phrasal verbs
 
idioms with the verb “light”
 
Translations
The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Dictionary:Entry layout § Translations.
Translations to be checked

Etymology 3

From Middle English light, liht, leoht, from Old English lēoht (“luminous, bright, light, clear, resplendent, renowned, beautiful”), from Proto-Germanic *leuhtaz (“light”), from Proto-Indo-European *lewk- (“light”). Cognate with Saterland Frisian ljoacht (“light”), Dutch licht, German licht.

Adjective

light (comparative lighter, superlative lightest)

A light-skinned black person.
  1. Having light; bright; clear; not dark or obscure.
    The room is light when the Sun shines through the window.
  2. Pale or whitish in color; highly luminous and more or less deficient in chroma.
    • 1913, Joseph C. Lincoln, chapter 1, in Mr. Pratt's Patients:
      'Twas early June, the new grass was flourishing everywheres, the posies in the yard—peonies and such—in full bloom, the Sun was shining, and the water of the bay was blue, with light green streaks where the shoal showed.
    She had light skin.
  3. (of coffee) Served with extra milk or cream.
    I like my coffee light.
Synonyms
Derived terms
 
Related terms
 
Translations

Etymology 4

From Old English lēoht, līht, from Proto-West Germanic *lį̄ht, from Proto-Germanic *linhtaz or *līhtaz, from Proto-Indo-European *h₁lengʷʰ- (“light”).

Cognate with Dutch licht, German leicht, Swedish lätt, Norwegian lett, Albanian lehtë, Latin levis, Russian лёгкий (ljóxkij), Lithuanian lengvas, Sanskrit लघु (laghu).

Adjective

light (comparative lighter, superlative lightest)

  1. Having little or relatively little actual weight; not cumbrous or unwieldy.
    a light load ; a lighter backpack after having removed the books ; light weapons
  2. Having little weight as compared with bulk; of little density or specific gravity.
    feathers and cork are light ; oil is lighter than water
  3. Of short or insufficient weight; weighing less than the legal, standard, or proper amount; clipped or diminished.
    to issue light coin
  4. Lacking that which burdens or makes heavy.
    1. Free from burden or impediment; unencumbered.
    2. Lightly built; typically designed for speed or small loads.
      a light aircraft ; a light tank
    3. (military) Not heavily armed; armed with light weapons.
      light infantry; a troop of light horse
    4. (nautical, of a ship) Riding high because of no cargo; by extension, pertaining to a ship which is light.
      if a ship is light or partially loaded ; the light draft of a vessel, or its light displacement
    5. (rail transport, of a locomotive or consist of locomotives) Without any piece of equipment attached or attached only to a caboose.
      the light locomotives ; a locomotive may be moved light
    6. With low viscosity.
  5. (cooking) Not heavy or soggy; spongy; well raised.
    a light bread ; sponge cake is a light cake
  6. Low in fat, calories, alcohol, salt, etc.
    This light beer still gets you drunk if you have enough of it.
  7. Slight, not forceful or intense; small in amount or intensity.
    a light drizzle; a light rain was falling; a light snow set in
  9. Gentle; having little force or momentum.
    This artist clearly had a light, flowing touch.
  10. Easy to endure or perform.
    light duties around the house
    • 1697, Virgil, “Palamon and Arcite”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], OCLC 403869432:
      Light sufferings give us leisure to complain.
  11. Unimportant, trivial, having little value or significance.
    I made some light comment, and we moved on.
    • 1902, John Buchan, The Outgoing of the Tide:
      He had drunk more than was fit for him, and he was singing some light song, when he saw approaching, as he said, the pale horse mentioned in the Revelation, with Death seated as the rider.
  12. (obsolete) Unchaste, wanton.
  13. Not encumbered; unembarrassed; clear of impediments; hence, active; nimble; swift.
  14. (dated) Easily influenced by trifling considerations; unsteady; unsettled; volatile.
    a light, vain person; a light mind
    • 1633, John Tillotson, The Wisdom of being Religious
      There is no greater argument of a light and inconsiderate person than profanely to scoff at religion.
  15. Indulging in, or inclined to, levity; lacking dignity or solemnity; frivolous; airy.
    Ogden Nash was a writer of light verse.
  16. Not quite sound or normal; somewhat impaired or deranged; dizzy; giddy.
  17. Easily interrupted by stimulation.
    light sleep; light anesthesia
Synonyms
Antonyms
Derived terms
 
attributive uses of the adjective “light”
 
idioms with the word “light”
 
Related terms
 
Translations
The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Dictionary:Entry layout § Translations.
Translations to be checked

Adverb

light (comparative lighter, superlative lightest)

  1. Carrying little.
    I prefer to travel light.
Derived terms
Related terms
 
Translations

Noun

light (plural lights)

  1. (curling) A stone that is not thrown hard enough.
  2. See lights (“lungs”).

Verb

light (third-person singular simple present lights, present participle lighting, simple past and past participle lighted)

  1. (nautical) To unload a ship, or to jettison material to make it lighter
  2. To lighten; to ease of a burden; to take off.
Derived terms
phrasal verbs
 
Translations

Etymology 5

From Middle English lighten, from Old English līhtan (“to relieve”), from Proto-West Germanic *lį̄htijan, from Proto-Germanic *linhtijaną, from *linhtaz (“light”).

Verb

light (third-person singular simple present lights, present participle lighting, simple past and past participle lit or lighted or (obsolete) light)

  1. To find by chance.
    I lit upon a rare book in a second-hand bookseller's.
  2. To stop upon (of eyes or a glance); to notice
  3. (archaic) To alight; to land or come down.
    She fell out of the window but luckily lit on her feet.
    • 1719 April 25​, [Daniel Defoe], The Life and Strange Surprizing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, […], 3rd edition, London: […] W[illiam] Taylor […], published 1719, OCLC 838630407, pages 356–357:
      [W]e knew not what Courſe to take, but the Creatures [wolves] reſolv'd us ſoon, for they gather'd about us preſently, in Hopes of Prey, […] I drew my little Troop in among thoſe Trees, and placing our ſelves in a Line, behind one long Tree, I advis'd them all to light, and keeping that Tree before us, for a Breaſt-Work, to ſtand in a Triangle, or three Fronts, encloſing our Horſes in the Center.
    • 1769, Benjamin Blayney (Ed.), King James Bible (Genesis 25:64)
      And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel.
    • 1885, Theodore Roosevelt, Hunting Trips of a Ranchman
      Some kinds of ducks in lighting strike the water with their tails first, and skitter along the surface for a few feet before settling down.
    • 1957, Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel), The Cat in the Hat
      And our fish came down, too. He fell into a pot! He said, "Do I like this? Oh, no! I do not. This is not a good game," Said our fish as he lit.
Synonyms
Derived terms
phrasal verbs
 
Translations

French light definition

Etymology

From English light.

Pronunciation

Adjective

light (invariable)

  1. light, slight
  2. (of food) diet, low-fat, fat-free, light

Middle English light definition

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Old English lēoht (“light, daylight; power of vision; luminary; world”), from Proto-West Germanic *leuht, from Proto-Germanic *leuhtą (“light”), from Proto-Indo-European *lewktom, from the root *lewk- (“light”).

Pronunciation

Noun

light (plural lightes)

  1. The radiation which allows for vision by brightening objects and colours.
  2. Illumination in general, or any source thereof.
  3. The metaphorical clarity resulting from philosophical or religious ideals such as truth, wisdom, righteousness, etc.
  4. Mental or spiritual acuity; the presence of life in a living being.
  5. (chemistry) The property of lustre; how shiny a substance is.
  6. (religion) Heavenly radiance; glory
  7. (architecture) an opening in a wall allowing for the transmission of light; a window.
  8. The sense of sight.
  9. The state of being easily seen.

Descendants

References

Portuguese light definition

Etymology

Unadapted borrowing from English light. Doublet of leve, léu, and ligeiro.

Pronunciation

Adjective

light (invariable)

  1. (of food) light (low in fat, calories, alcohol, salt or other undesirable substances)

Spanish light definition

Etymology

Unadapted borrowing from English light.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈlait/, [ˈlai̯t̪]

Adjective

light (invariable)

  1. light (low in fat, calories, salt, alcohol, etc.)
  2. (of cigarettes) light (low in tar, nicotine and other noxious chemicals)
  3. (by extension) Lacking substance or seriousness; lite

Usage notes

According to Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) prescriptions, unadapted foreign words should be written in italics in a text printed in roman type, and vice versa, and in quotation marks in a manuscript text or when italics are not available. In practice, this RAE prescription is not always followed.

Further reading

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