light
lyt
Light (noun) means Brightness that lets people see, from the sun, a lamp, or fire. Example: “She switched on the light so she could read.”
noun
1
Brightness that lets people see, from the sun, a lamp, or fire.
"She switched on the light so she could read."
"There wasn't enough light to read by."
"Morning light poured through the curtains and woke the whole house."
2
A source of illumination, such as a lamp or bulb.
"Turn off the lights before you leave."
"Can you switch off the lights before bed?"
"The light above the cooker has stopped working again."
verb
1
To set something burning.
"We light the bonfire every autumn once the garden waste has dried."
"He lit the candles on the cake."
"She lit a match to check the fuse box."
2
To illuminate; to provide light for.
"Streetlamps light the whole avenue at night."
"The lamp lights up the whole corner of the room."
"Candles light the hall so guests can find their way."
adj
1
Not heavy; weighing little.
"This laptop is impressively light for its size."
"He travels light, with just one small bag."
"I bought a light jacket that folds into a tiny pouch."
2
Pale in colour.
"She painted the walls a light blue."
"The sky turned a light shade of orange at sunset."
"The baby has light hair that is almost white."
3
Not serious or intense; gentle.
"It was just light rain, so we didn't need umbrellas."
"It's just a light drizzle — you won't need a coat."
"A light breeze made the afternoon feel pleasantly cool."
How to use light
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBrightness that lets you see — or, as an adjective, not heavy, pale, or gentle.
Common pairings
turn on the light
travel light
a light breeze
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Word forms
- Plural
- lights
- Third person singular
- lights
- Past tense
- lit, lighted
- Comparative
- lighter
- Superlative
- lightest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She switched on the _____ so she could read.
Etymology
From Old English lēoht, from a very old root meaning "to shine" shared across most European languages.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for light
See all rhymes for light →Frequently asked questions
What does “light” mean?
The word “light” means brightness that lets people see, from the sun, a lamp, or fire. In plain terms, brightness that lets you see — or, as an adjective, not heavy, pale, or gentle.
How do you pronounce “light”?
“Light” is pronounced lyt ([ɫɐɪt] in IPA).
How do you use “light” in a sentence?
Here is “light” used in a sentence: “She switched on the light so she could read.”
What is another word for “light”?
Words with a similar meaning to “light” include visible light, luminance, radiation, with milk, with cream and ablaze.
What is the opposite of “light”?
The opposite of “light” — its antonyms — are darkness, T-ray, alpha ray, X-ray and beta ray.
What part of speech is “light”?
Depending on how it is used, “light” can be a noun, a verb and an adjective.
Where does the word “light” come from?
The word “light” comes from Old English. From Old English lēoht, from a very old root meaning "to shine" shared across most European languages.
Is “light” a common word?
“Light” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between light and darkness?
Light is brightness that lets people see, coming from sources like the sun, a lamp, or fire. Darkness is the absence of that light. They are opposites: where light reaches, things become visible; where it is blocked or absent, darkness and shadow remain. One reveals, the other hides.
Where does light come from?
Light comes from sources that give off brightness. The sun is the main natural source, along with fire, lightning, and some living things that glow. Artificial sources include lamps, candles, screens, and torches. We also see objects because they reflect light from these sources into our eyes.
Can light be measured?
Yes. Scientists measure several things about light. Its brightness, or the amount falling on a surface, is measured in units called lux, while the total light a source gives off is measured in lumens. Light's color relates to its wavelength, and its speed is a fixed, well-known constant.
What are the types of light?
Light can be natural, like sunlight, moonlight, and firelight, or artificial, like lamplight and screen light. Scientists also describe light by color and wavelength, from the visible colors of the rainbow to invisible kinds such as ultraviolet and infrared. Visible light is simply the part our eyes can detect.
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