limelight

[lahym-lahyt]

noun

1. Theater.

   1. (formerly) a lighting unit for spotlighting the front of the stage, producing illumination by means of a flame of mixed gases directed at a cylinder of lime and having a special lens for concentrating the light in a strong beam.

   2. the light so produced.

   3. Chiefly British.,  a lighting unit, especially a spotlight.

2. the center of public attention, interest, observation, or notoriety.

   He seems fond of the limelight.

limelight

/ ˈlaɪmˌlaɪt /

noun

1. a position of public attention or notice (esp in the phrase in the limelight )

2. 1. a type of lamp, formerly used in stage lighting, in which light is produced by heating lime to white heat

   2. Also called: calcium light. brilliant white light produced in this way

Other Word Forms

• limelighter noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of limelight¹

First recorded in 1820–30; lime ² + light ¹

Example Sentences

She clearly thrives in the limelight and embraces the glamour that comes with being her country's most celebrated foody.

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Lulu's chart career waned in the 1980s, but she was never far from the limelight.

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Leaving the limelight, getting broken and finding new love — and then almost losing her voice — Sarah McLachlan found new depths and heights in her priceless voice.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

But he found it hard to leave the limelight.

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Rowland, England's star flying under the radar, is into the limelight.

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Related Words

• glare 
• prominence 
• public eye 
• spotlight