Showing results for "lighter"

• comparative of light.

lighter

¹ American  

[lahy-ter] / ˈlaɪ tər /

noun

1. a person or thing that lights or ignites.

2. a mechanical device used in lighting cigarettes, cigars, or pipes for smoking.

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lighter ² American  

[lahy-ter] / ˈlaɪ tər /

noun

1. a large, open, flat-bottomed barge, used in unloading and loading ships offshore or in transporting goods for short distances in shallow waters.

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verb (used with object)

1. to convey in or as if in a lighter.

lighter ¹ British  

/ ˈlaɪtə /

noun

1. a small portable device for providing a naked flame or red-hot filament to light cigarettes, etc

2. a person or thing that ignites something

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lighter ² British  

/ ˈlaɪtə /

noun

1. a flat-bottomed barge used for transporting cargo, esp in loading or unloading a ship

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Etymology

Origin of lighter¹

First recorded in 1545–55; light ¹ + -er ¹

Origin of lighter²

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at light ³, -er ¹

Example Sentences

Lighter winds and cooler temperatures allowed firefighters to slow the growth of a fire in Simi Valley that forced tens of thousands of residents out of their homes, firefighting officials said.

From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026

The new bottles, already on some shelves, claim the product “Feels Lighter, Lasts Longer.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 22, 2026

Lighter gloves would have made no difference, no punches thrown even came close to a knockout.

From BBC • Nov. 16, 2024

Lighter elements -- generally those with an atomic number of 20 or lower on the periodic table -- often have an equal number of protons and neutrons.

From Science Daily • Feb. 26, 2024

Lighter and darker scales wove geometric designs much like the diamond and mountain designs on the rugs that Nali used to weave.

From "Healer of the Water Monster" by Brian Young

Related Words

• barge
• boat
• life raft
• lifeboat