lighter

¹

[ lahy-ter ]

noun

1. a person or thing that lights or ignites.
2. a mechanical device used in lighting cigarettes, cigars, or pipes for smoking.

lighter

²

[ lahy-ter ]

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.

verb (used with object)

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

lighter

¹

/ ˈlaɪtə /

noun

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

lighter

²

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of lighter¹

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

Origin of lighter²

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of lighter¹

C15: probably from Middle Dutch; compare C16 Dutch lichter

Example Sentences

If you are a side sleeper, you might want to consider getting a lighter blanket, slightly under 10% of your body weight, because the weight of the blanket cannot be evenly spread.

From Popular-Science

You can also easily purchase additional lighter fuel when you need to refill.

From Popular-Science

The lighter the materials used, the less fatigue you will feel.

From Popular-Science

Mighty Building’s use of 3D printing, advanced manufacturing techniques, modern robotics and “new lighter and stronger materials” gives it an edge, he added.

From TechCrunch

They’re classified in part by the complexity of their carbon chains—the fewer carbon molecules linked together, the lighter the product.

From Popular-Science

New refinements in aluminum made structures both stronger and lighter.

From The Daily Beast

Now on a lighter note, with Selma, you did get Oprah to throw a mean haymaker.

From The Daily Beast

Meanwhile younger, lighter colors evoke citrus and tree fruits, candy sugars and vanilla toffee.

From The Daily Beast

Chris Christie may be feeling a little bit lighter today, though it's unlikely he would ever admit it.

From The Daily Beast

But they are being built with new, lighter materials and powered with far more efficient engines.

From The Daily Beast

The seeds of some species are of a dark brown while others are of a lighter shade.

From Project Gutenberg

Going back, found that the lighter loads of wounded already taken off have by no means cleared the beach.

From Project Gutenberg

The organ touch could now be made as light as that of a pianoforte, much lighter than ever before.

From Project Gutenberg

She quite forgot her companion in these lighter reminiscences of a period that seemed far more than ten years agone.

From Project Gutenberg

It was upon a lighter note, not to end in anticlimax, that Mr. Jenyns concluded his able pamphlet.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• barge
• boat
• life raft
• lifeboat