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light
1[ lahyt ]
noun
- something that makes things visible or affords illumination:
All colors depend on light.
- Physics.
- Also called lu·mi·nous en·er·gy [loo, -m, uh, -n, uh, s , en, -er-jee];. electromagnetic radiation to which the organs of sight react, ranging in wavelength from about 400 to 700 nanometers and propagated at a speed of 186,282 miles per second (299,972 kilometers per second), considered variously as a wave, a stream of particles, or a quantum phenomenon.
- a similar form of radiant energy that does not affect the retina, as ultraviolet or infrared rays.
- the sensation produced by stimulation of the organs of sight.
- an illuminating agent or source, as the sun, a lamp, or a beacon.
- the radiance or illumination from a particular source:
the light of a candle.
- the illumination from the sun; daylight:
We awoke at the first light.
- daybreak or dawn:
when light appeared in the east.
- daytime:
Summer has more hours of light.
- a particular light or illumination in which an object seen takes on a certain appearance:
viewing the portrait in dim light.
- a device for or means of igniting, as a spark, flame, or match:
Could you give me a light?
- a traffic light:
Don't cross till the light changes.
- the aspect in which a thing appears or is regarded:
Try to look at the situation in a more cheerful light.
- the state of being visible, exposed to view, or revealed to public notice or knowledge; limelight:
Stardom has placed her in the light.
- a person who is an outstanding leader, celebrity, or example; luminary:
He became one of the leading lights of Restoration drama.
- Art.
- the effect of light falling on an object or scene as represented in a picture.
- one of the brightest parts of a picture.
- a gleam or sparkle, as in the eyes.
- a measure or supply of light; illumination:
The wall cuts off our light.
- spiritual illumination or awareness; enlightenment.
- Architecture.
- Also called day. one compartment of a window or window sash.
- a window, especially a small one.
- mental insight; understanding.
- lights, the information, ideas, or mental capacities possessed:
to act according to one's lights.
- a lighthouse.
- Archaic. the eyesight.
adjective
- having light or illumination; bright; well-lighted:
the lightest room in the entire house.
- pale, whitish, or not deep or dark in color:
a light blue.
- (of coffee or tea) containing enough milk or cream to produce a light color.
verb (used with object)
- to set burning, as a candle, lamp, fire, match, or cigarette; kindle; ignite.
- to turn or switch on (an electric light):
One flick of the master switch lights all the lamps in the room.
- to give light to; furnish with light or illumination:
The room is lighted by two large chandeliers.
- to make (an area or object) bright with or as if with light (often followed by up ):
Hundreds of candles lighted up the ballroom.
- to cause (the face, surroundings, etc.) to brighten, especially with joy, animation, or the like (often followed by up ):
A smile lit up her face. Her presence lighted up the room.
- to guide or conduct with a light:
a candle to light you to bed.
verb (used without object)
- to take fire or become kindled:
The damp wood refused to light.
- to ignite a cigar, cigarette, or pipe for purposes of smoking (usually followed by up ):
He took out a pipe and lighted up before speaking.
- to become illuminated when switched on:
This table lamp won't light.
- to become bright, as with light or color (often followed by up ):
The sky lights up at sunset.
- to brighten with animation or joy, as the face or eyes (often followed by up ).
light
2[ lahyt ]
adjective
- of little weight; not heavy:
a light load.
Antonyms: heavy
- of little weight in proportion to bulk; of low specific gravity:
a light metal.
- of less than the usual or average weight:
light clothing.
- weighing less than the proper or standard amount:
to be caught using light weights in trade.
- of small amount, force, intensity, etc.: a light rain;
light trading on the stock market;
a light rain;
light sleep.
- using or applying little or slight pressure or force:
The child petted the puppy with light, gentle strokes.
- not distinct; faint:
The writing on the page had become light and hard to read.
Synonyms: faded, indistinct
- easy to endure, deal with, or perform; not difficult or burdensome:
light duties.
- not very profound or serious; amusing or entertaining:
light reading.
- of little importance or consequence; trivial:
The loss of his job was no light matter.
Synonyms: inconsiderable, trifling
- easily digested:
light food.
- low in any substance, as sugar, starch, or tars, that is considered harmful or undesirable:
light cigarettes.
- (of alcoholic beverages)
- not heavy or strong:
a light apéritif.
- (especially of beer and wine) having fewer calories and usually a lower alcohol content than the standard product.
- spongy or well-leavened, as cake.
- (of soil) containing much sand; porous or crumbly.
- slender or delicate in form or appearance:
a light, graceful figure.
- airy or buoyant in movement:
When she dances, she's as light as a feather.
- nimble or agile:
light on one's feet.
- free from trouble, sorrow, or worry; carefree:
a light heart.
a light laugh.
- characterized by lack of proper seriousness; frivolous:
light conduct.
Synonyms: flighty
- sexually promiscuous; loose.
- easily swayed; changeable: volatile:
a heart light of love;
His is a life of a man light of purpose.
- slightly delirious; dizzy:
I get light on one martini.
- Military. lightly armed or equipped:
light cavalry.
- having little or no cargo, encumbrance, or the like; not burdened:
a light freighter drawing little water.
- adapted by small weight or slight build for small loads or swift movement:
The grocer bought a light truck for deliveries.
- using small-scale machinery primarily for the production of consumer goods:
light industry.
- Nautical. noting any sail of light canvas set only in moderate or calm weather, as a royal, skysail, studdingsail, gaff topsail, or spinnaker.
- Meteorology. (of wind) having a speed up to 7 miles per hour (3 meters per second). Compare light air, light breeze.
- Phonetics. (of l- sounds) resembling a front vowel in quality; clear:
French l is lighter than English l.
- Prosody. (of a syllable)
- Poker. being in debt to the pot:
He's a dollar light.
adverb
- with few or no suitcases; lightly:
to travel light.
- with no load or cargo hauled or carried:
a locomotive running light to its roundhouse.
noun
- a light product, as a beer or cigarette.
light
3[ lahyt ]
verb (used without object)
- to get down or descend, as from a horse or a vehicle:
As she lighted, the journalists began shouting questions at her.
- to come to rest, as on a spot or thing; fall or settle upon; land:
The bird lighted on the branch. My eye lighted on some friends in the crowd.
- to come by chance; happen; hit (usually followed by on or upon ):
to light on a clue; to light on an ideal picnic spot.
- to fall, as a stroke, weapon, vengeance, or choice, on a place or person:
The choice lighted upon our candidate.
verb phrase
- Informal. to make a vigorous physical or verbal attack on:
He would light into anyone with the slightest provocation.
- Informal. to leave quickly; depart hurriedly:
He lit out of here as fast as his legs would carry him.
Light
1/ laɪt /
noun
- God regarded as a source of illuminating grace and strength
- Quakerism short for Inner Light
light
2/ laɪt /
adjective
- not heavy; weighing relatively little
- having relatively low density
magnesium is a light metal
- lacking sufficient weight; not agreeing with standard or official weights
- not great in degree, intensity, or number
light rain
a light eater
- without burdens, difficulties, or problems; easily borne or done
a light heart
light work
- graceful, agile, or deft
light fingers
- not bulky or clumsy
- not serious or profound; entertaining
light verse
- without importance or consequence; insignificant
no light matter
- frivolous or capricious
- loose in morals
- dizzy or unclear
a light head
- (of bread, cake, etc) spongy or well leavened
- easily digested
a light meal
- relatively low in alcoholic content
a light wine
- (of a soil) having a crumbly texture
- of a vessel, lorry, etc
- designed to carry light loads
- not loaded
- carrying light arms or equipment
light infantry
- (of an industry) engaged in the production of small consumer goods using light machinery Compare heavy
- aeronautics (of an aircraft) having a maximum take-off weight less than 5670 kilograms (12 500 pounds)
- chem (of an oil fraction obtained from coal tar) having a boiling range between about 100° and 210°C
- (of a railway) having a narrow gauge, or in some cases a standard gauge with speed or load restrictions not applied to a main line
- bridge
- (of a bid) made on insufficient values
- (of a player) having failed to take sufficient tricks to make his contract
- phonetics the least of three levels of stress in an utterance, in such languages as English
- light on informal.lacking a sufficient quantity of (something)
- make light ofto treat as insignificant or trifling
adverb
- a less common word for lightly
- with little equipment, baggage, etc
to travel light
verb
- (esp of birds) to settle or land after flight
- to get down from a horse, vehicle, etc
- foll byon or upon to come upon unexpectedly
- to strike or fall on
the choice lighted on me
light
3/ laɪt /
noun
- the medium of illumination that makes sight possible
- Also calledvisible radiation electromagnetic radiation that is capable of causing a visual sensation and has wavelengths from about 380 to about 780 nanometres
- not in technical usage electromagnetic radiation that has a wavelength outside this range, esp ultraviolet radiation
ultraviolet light
- the sensation experienced when electromagnetic radiation within the visible spectrum falls on the retina of the eye photo-
- anything that illuminates, such as a lamp or candle
- See traffic light
- a particular quality or type of light
a good light for reading
- illumination from the sun during the day; daylight
- the time this appears; daybreak; dawn
- anything that allows the entrance of light, such as a window or compartment of a window
- the condition of being visible or known (esp in the phrases bring or come to light )
- an aspect or view
he saw it in a different light
- mental understanding or spiritual insight
- a person considered to be an authority or leader
- brightness of countenance, esp a sparkle in the eyes
- the act of igniting or kindling something, such as a cigarette
- something that ignites or kindles, esp in a specified manner, such as a spark or flame
- something used for igniting or kindling, such as a match
- See lighthouse
- the effect of illumination on objects or scenes, as created in a picture
- an area of brightness in a picture, as opposed to shade
- a poetic or archaic word for eyesight
- the answer to a clue in a crossword
- in light of or in the light ofin view of; taking into account; considering
- light at the end of the tunnelhope for the ending of a difficult or unpleasant situation
- out like a lightquickly asleep or unconscious
- see the light
- to gain sudden insight into or understanding of something
- to experience a religious conversion
- see the light or see the light of day
- to come into being
- to come to public notice
- shed light on or throw light onto clarify or supply additional information on
- stand in a person's lightto stand so as to obscure a person's vision
- strike a light
- verb to ignite something, esp a match, by friction
- interjection an exclamation of surprise
adjective
- full of light; well-lighted
light yellow
- phonetics relating to or denoting an ( l ) pronounced with front vowel resonance; clear See dark
the French "l" is much lighter than that of English
verb
- to ignite or cause to ignite
- often foll by up to illuminate or cause to illuminate
- to make or become cheerful or animated
- tr to guide or lead by light
light
/ līt /
- Electromagnetic radiation that can be perceived by the human eye. It is made up of electromagnetic waves with wavelengths between 4 × 10 -7 and 7 × 10 -7 meters. Light, and all other electromagnetic radiation, travels at a speed of about 299,728 km (185,831 mi) per second in a vacuum.
- See also photon
- Electromagnetic energy of a wavelength just outside the range the human eye can detect, such as infrared light and ultraviolet light.
- See Note at electromagnetic radiation
light
- The type of electromagnetic wave that is visible to the human eye. Visible light runs along a spectrum from the short wavelengths of violet to the longer wavelengths of red. ( See photon .)
Derived Forms
- ˈlightly, adverb
- ˈlightish, adjective
- ˈlightness, noun
- ˈlightless, adjective
- ˈlightish, adjective
Other Words From
- light·ful adjective
- light·ful·ly adverb
Word History and Origins
Origin of light1
Origin of light2
Word History and Origins
Origin of light1
Origin of light2
Idioms and Phrases
- bring to light, to discover or reveal:
The excavations brought to light the remnants of an ancient civilization.
- come to light, to be discovered or revealed:
Some previously undiscovered letters have lately come to light.
- hide one's light under a bushel, to conceal or suppress one's talents or successes.
- in (the) light of, taking into account; because of; considering:
It was necessary to review the decision in the light of recent developments.
- in a good / bad light, under favorable (or unfavorable) circumstances:
She worshiped him, but then she'd only seen him in a good light.
- light at the end of the tunnel, a prospect of success, relief, or redemption:
We haven't solved the problem yet, but we're beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel.
- make light of, to treat as unimportant or trivial:
They made light of our hard-won victory.
- see the light,
- to come into existence or being.
- to be made public.
- to begin to accept or understand a point of view one formerly opposed:
Her father was opposed to her attending an out-of-town college, but he finally saw the light.
- shed / throw light on, to clarify; clear up:
His deathbed confession threw light on a mystery of long standing.
More idioms and phrases containing light
- begin to see daylight (see the light of day)
- bring to light
- come to light
- go light on
- green light
- heavy (light) heart
- hide one's light
- in a good (bad) light
- in the cold light of day
- in the light of
- lace (light) into
- leading light
- make light of
- many hands make light work
- once over lightly
- out cold (like a light)
- see the light
- shed light on
- sweetness and light
- travel light
- trip the light fantastic
Example Sentences
Some of that footage — among the first to be hand-colored — makes its way into “Obsessed With Light,” and it’s the best part of the film.
Best international feature: “All We Imagine as Light”
Under the slack direction of Jade King Carroll, “The Light and the Dark” often feels more like an art history lecture than a play.
Light barely penetrates a few meters below the surface, so satellites cannot see deeper seagrass patches.
As the production team behind the Rolling Stones’ "Shine a Light and George Harrison: Living in the Material World," Tedeschi and Scorsese commented upon their feelings of awe and reverence for the source material.
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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