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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

lighter

It already had a lighter facelift for Nintendo's handheld 3DS in 2011.

From Barron's ● Oct. 15, 2026

But when he first developed an interest in filmmaking, he had a lighter approach.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2026

Here’s an example of the same prompt presented to two Google models, the Gemini 3.1 Pro—generally used for tasks that require reasoning and judgment—and the less expensive, lighter, speedier Gemini 3 Flash.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026

This will bring outbreaks of rain which will generally be heaviest in northern and western parts of the UK and lighter further east.

From BBC ● Oct. 4, 2026

It’s tough, because while doing all of the above, a coloratura must also be lighter and faster than all the other sopranos.

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold

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Related Words

• barge
• boat
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