- comparative of light.
lighter
1 Americannoun
verb (used with object)
noun
-
a small portable device for providing a naked flame or red-hot filament to light cigarettes, etc
-
a person or thing that ignites something
noun
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Perhaps the system did not contain one extremely massive object paired with a much lighter companion.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 10, 2026
It said that lighter regulation, better marketing and incentives for investors were needed to stem the outflow.
From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026
But when he first developed an interest in filmmaking, he had a lighter approach.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2026
For example, performing 20 to 25 repetitions with a lighter weight can produce similar improvements to lifting a heavier weight ten times, provided the effort is high.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 2, 2026
Now comes the part in all her stories where her voice becomes lighter, like she’s casually giving directions to the corner panadería.
From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera
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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.