lightning
6 synonyms for lightning, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The bright flash of light in the sky during a storm, caused by electricity passing between clouds or between a cloud and the ground.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use lightning
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
lightning speed
lightning fast
lightning strike
Etymology
From lighten + -ing; a doublet of "lightening," though the two words diverged in spelling and meaning.
Full origin of lightning →Frequently asked questions
What does “lightning” mean?
The word “lightning” means extremely fast, as if moving at the speed of an electrical flash in the sky. In plain terms, describing something extremely fast, from the flash of electricity seen in storms.
How do you pronounce “lightning”?
“Lightning” is pronounced LYT-nihng (/ˈlaɪt.nɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “lightning” in a sentence?
Here is “lightning” used in a sentence: “He reacted with lightning speed.”
What part of speech is “lightning”?
Depending on how it is used, “lightning” can be an adjective and a verb.
Is “lightning” a common word?
“Lightning” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “lightning” have?
“Lightning” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: extremely fast, as if moving at the speed of an electrical flash in the sky.
What is the difference between 'lightning' and 'lightening'?
'Lightning' refers to the electrical flash in the sky and, by extension, to something extremely fast. 'Lightening' is a form of the verb 'lighten', meaning making lighter in weight or colour. The spelling difference is the middle 'e', which only 'lightening' has.
What is the difference between 'lightning' and 'thunder'?
Lightning is the flash of light produced during a storm, while thunder is the loud sound that follows it. The light travels faster than the sound, which is why you usually see the lightning before you hear the thunder.
Is it 'lightning fast' or 'lightning-fast'?
Both appear, and the hyphenated form 'lightning-fast' is standard when the phrase comes before a noun, as in 'a lightning-fast response'. Either way it means extremely fast, taking its force from the speed of a lightning flash.
