Light - definition, pronunciation, transcription

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Amer.  |laɪt|  American pronunciation of the word light
Brit.  |laɪt|  British pronunciation of the word light
irregular verb:  p.t. — lit  p.p. — lit

noun

- (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
the light was filtered through a soft glass window
- any device serving as a source of illumination
he stopped the car and turned off the lights
- a particular perspective or aspect of a situation
although he saw it in a different light, he still did not understand
- the quality of being luminous; emitting or reflecting light (syn: brightness, luminosity)
- an illuminated area
he stepped into the light
- a condition of spiritual awareness; divine illumination (syn: illumination)
follow God's light
- the visual effect of illumination on objects or scenes as created in pictures (syn: lightness)
he could paint the lightest light and the darkest dark
- a person regarded very fondly
the light of my life
- having abundant light or illumination (syn: lighting)
They played as long as it was light
as long as the lighting was good
- mental understanding as an enlightening experience
he finally saw the light
can you shed light on this problem?
- merriment expressed by a brightness or gleam or animation of countenance (syn: spark, sparkle, twinkle)
- public awareness
it brought the scandal to light
- a divine presence believed by Quakers to enlighten and guide the soul
- a visual warning signal
they saw the light of the beacon
there was a light at every corner
- a device for lighting or igniting fuel or charges or fires (syn: igniter, lighter)
do you have a light?

verb

- make lighter or brighter (syn: illume, illuminate, illumine, light up)
This lamp lightens the room a bit
- begin to smoke (syn: fire up, light up)
- to come to rest, settle (syn: alight, perch)
Misfortune lighted upon him
- cause to start burning; subject to fire or great heat (syn: ignite)
- fall to somebody by assignment or lot (syn: fall)
- alight from (a horse) (syn: dismount, get down, get off, unhorse)
- start or maintain a fire in (syn: fire, ignite)

adjective

- (used of vowels or syllables) pronounced with little or no stress (syn: unaccented, weak)
a syllable that ends in a short vowel is a light syllable
- easily assimilated in the alimentary canal; not rich or heavily seasoned
a light diet
- (used of soil) loose and large-grained in consistency
light soil
- (of sound or color) free from anything that dulls or dims (syn: clean, clear, unclouded)
a light lilting voice like a silver bell
- moving easily and quickly; nimble (syn: lightsome, tripping)
the dancer was light and graceful
a lightsome buoyant step
walked with a light tripping step
- demanding little effort; not burdensome
light housework
light exercise
- weak and likely to lose consciousness (syn: faint, light-headed)
felt light in the head
light-headed with wine
light-headed from lack of sleep
- very thin and insubstantial
light summer dresses
- marked by temperance in indulgence (syn: abstemious)
a light eater
a light smoker
ate a light supper
- less than the correct or legal or full amount often deliberately so (syn: scant, short)
a light pound
- having little importance
losing his job was no light matter
- intended primarily as entertainment; not serious or profound
light verse
a light comedy
- silly or trivial (syn: idle)
light banter
light idle chatter
- designed for ease of movement or to carry little weight
light aircraft
a light truck
- having relatively few calories (syn: lite)
light (or lite) beer
lite (or light) mayonnaise
- (of sleep) easily disturbed (syn: wakeful)
in a light doze
a light sleeper
- casual and unrestrained in sexual behavior (syn: easy, loose, promiscuous, sluttish, wanton)
he was told to avoid loose (or light) women

adverb

- with few burdens (syn: lightly)
experienced travellers travel light

Extra examples

The landscape was bathed in light.

A photograph taken in low light

The light of the moon

A mixture of light and shadow

The windows let fresh air and light into the room.

The lights suddenly went out.

The lights suddenly came on.

The twinkling lights of the city below

The bright lights of Broadway

The lights are on, so there must be somebody at home.

Light flickers.

Light goes on.

The lights are off / out.

The lights have fused.

Let's see the matter in a different light.

Phrasal verbs

light up  — start to burn with a bright flame

Word forms

verb
I/you/we/they: light
he/she/it: lights
present participle: lighting
past tense: lit
past participle: lit
noun
singular: light
plural: lights
adjective
comparative: lighter
superlative: lightest
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