lit

¹ American  

[lit] / lɪt /

verb

1. a simple past tense and past participle of light.

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adjective

1. Slang. under the influence of liquor or narcotics; intoxicated (usually followed byup ).

2. Slang. amazing; awesome; cool (used as a general term of approval).

   Today's rally was really lit!

lit ² American  

[lit] / lɪt /

verb

1. a simple past tense and past participle of light.

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lit ³ American  

[lit] / lɪt /

noun

Informal.

1. literature.

   a college course in English lit.

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lit ⁴ American  

[lit] / lɪt /

noun

1. litas.

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lit. ⁵ American  

abbreviation

1. liter; liters.

2. literal.

3. literally.

4. literary.

5. literature.

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Lit. ⁶ American  

abbreviation

1. (in Italy) lira; lire.

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lit. ¹ British  

abbreviation

1. literal(ly)

2. literary

3. literature

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lit ² British  

/ lɪt /

verb

1. a past tense and past participle of light 1

2. an alternative past tense and past participle of light 2

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Etymology

Origin of lit¹

First recorded in 1895–1900 in the sense “intoxicated”

Origin of lit³

First recorded in 1850–55; by shortening

Example Sentences

Es Devlin’s sets are slick but strongly lit.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

While Bosnian fans lit flares from apartment windows overlooking the field, the visitors were doing exactly what was required.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

The space is dimly lit and always packed, with wood-paneled walls, mounted antlers, and crisp white tablecloths setting the tone.

From Salon • Mar. 31, 2026

When the tuft cells were exposed to succinate, a compound released by parasitic worms, the nearby sensor cells lit up.

From Science Daily • Mar. 28, 2026

The room was lit, as always, by gas lamps, casting a glow over the switchboard.

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse

Related Words

• stoned
• tipsy