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

See Examples For:

lighter

The company’s lighter flash models power AI Overviews and AI Mode, which allow search-engine users to perform complex queries in natural language — far surpassing the keyword matching and ranking techniques of previous generations.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 15, 2026

It was Thoreau who remarked that “the transcendental philosophy needs the leaven of humor to render it light and digestible,” and one wishes at times that Mr. Nichols wrote with a lighter touch.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

"In periods of drought such as this one, all you need is a simple lighter," explains Eric Dufayet, an officer who investigates fires.

From BBC ● Aug. 8, 2026

Yak boosters say the animals leave a lighter hoof-print on the land because they eat one-third to one-half of what cows eat and produce less methane gas.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 8, 2026

Soft areas and shadows such as sand and mud send up weaker echoes and lighter images.

From "Shipwrecked!" by Martin W. Sandler

Related Words

• barge
• boat
• life raft
• lifeboat