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• lit
  lit

  verb

  a simple past tense and past participle of light.
• lit.
  lit.

  abbreviation

  liter; liters.
• Lit.
  Lit.

  abbreviation

  (in Italy) lira; lire.

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

Explanation

If something's lit, it's illuminated with light from a lamp or other source. Your romantic dinner table might be lit only with flickering candles. A well-lit room provides enough light for whatever task you need to to there — your kitchen might be lit with under-cabinet lights that shine on the counters, and your office might be lit with a desk lamp. Lit also means "set on fire," like a lit campfire or a glowing, lit stick of incense. If you're studying American literature in school, you might describe it using the colloquial shorthand, "American lit."

Example Sentences

The Hi Desert Lo-Fi Lit Fest is hosting free panels, workshops, and readings all weekend along.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 19, 2026

Let’s talk about your literary imprint, SJP Lit.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 8, 2026

Back at Au Lit Fine Linens in Toronto, Joanna Goodman steps into a vast stockroom, filled with the sound of carboard boxes being packed.

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2025

To show Au Lit Fine Linens' commitment to Canadian manufacturers, its stores now highlight everything that is Canadian made.

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2025

Lit up by lights that I had barely noticed in the daytime.

From "Milkweed" by Jerry Spinelli

Related Words

• stoned
• tipsy