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.

---

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.

---

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

---

lighter ² British  

/ ˈlaɪtə /

noun

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

---

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

Scientists are continuing to analyze data from collisions involving lighter atomic nuclei, searching for additional evidence of how quark–gluon plasma forms and behaves.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 3, 2026

The track sets the stage for a quieter and weirder collection than we’ve heard from this outfit—far lighter on riffs, not particularly melodic, but oozing atmosphere.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 3, 2026

Oracle’s beleaguered stock finished the week higher after executives indicated a lighter borrowing load for AI going forward.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 31, 2026

Those with darker skin need exposure to stronger light to produce the same amount of vitamin D as lighter skin.

From BBC ● Oct. 30, 2026

The coarse hair disappears, and his skin gets a little lighter.

From "The Manifestor Prophecy" by Angie Thomas

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---

Related Words

• barge
• boat
• life raft
• lifeboat

---