alight

1
[ uh-lahyt ]
See synonyms for: alightalightedalit on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object),a·light·ed or a·lit, a·light·ing.
  1. to dismount from a horse, descend from a vehicle, etc.

  2. to settle or stay after descending: The bird alighted on the tree.

  1. to encounter or notice something accidentally.

Origin of alight

1
First recorded before 1000; Middle English alighten, Old English ālīhtan; equivalent to a-3 + light3)

Other definitions for alight (2 of 2)

alight2
[ uh-lahyt ]

adverb, adjective
  1. provided with light; lighted up.

  2. on fire; burning.

Origin of alight

2
First recorded before 1000; originally past participle of alight “to light up,” Middle English alihten, Old English onlīhtan, equivalent to a-1 + light1)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use alight in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for alight (1 of 2)

alight1

/ (əˈlaɪt) /


verbalights, alighting, alighted or alit (intr)
  1. (usually foll by from) to step out (of) or get down (from): to alight from a taxi

  2. to come to rest; settle; land: a thrush alighted on the wall

Origin of alight

1
Old English ālīhtan, from a- ² + līhtan to make less heavy, from līht light ²

British Dictionary definitions for alight (2 of 2)

alight2

/ (əˈlaɪt) /


adjective, adverb(postpositive)
  1. burning; on fire

  2. illuminated; lit up

Origin of alight

2
Old English ālīht lit up, from ālīhtan to light up; see light 1

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012