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

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 outcome was good - my tummy feels lighter, and compared to before I am more or less pain free."

From BBC ● Nov. 2, 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

“I think people should still plan for rain for Halloween activities, but right now it looks more on the lighter side than moderate side” earlier in the evening, he said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 30, 2026

At that moment, my body felt light, lighter than the water surrounding it, like a balloon lifting into the sky.

From "Root Magic" by Eden Royce

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Related Words

• barge
• boat
• life raft
• lifeboat

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