lighter
LEYE-tuh
Lighter (noun) means a small handheld device that produces a flame, used to light cigarettes, candles, and so on. Example: “I borrowed a lighter from the man outside so I could light the candles.”
noun
1
A small handheld device that produces a flame, used to light cigarettes, candles, and so on.
"I borrowed a lighter from the man outside so I could light the candles."
"She keeps a lighter in her bag for the birthday cake candles."
"He flicked the lighter but it wouldn't catch."
2
A flat-bottomed barge used to move cargo over short distances, often to or from a larger ship.
"A lighter drifted slowly down the river with a heavy load of sand."
"Dockers loaded the sacks onto a lighter waiting beside the anchored ship."
"The lighter ferried crates from the freighter to the dock."
verb
1
To transfer cargo between a ship and the shore or another vessel using a barge.
"The crew lightered the cargo ashore because the harbour was too shallow for the big ship."
"Workers lightered the grain from the vessel to the quay over two days."
"They lightered the oil tanker to reduce its draft."
How to use lighter
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMost often a small flame-producing device for lighting cigarettes — but also, less commonly, a cargo barge.
Common pairings
flick a lighter
cigarette lighter
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Word forms
- Plural
- lighters
- Third person singular
- lighters
- Past tense
- lightered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
I borrowed a _____ from the man outside so I could light the candles.
Etymology
The device sense comes from light ("to ignite") + -er; the boat sense comes from a separate root meaning "to unload" or lighten a ship's cargo.
Related words
Rhymes for lighter
See all rhymes for lighter →Frequently asked questions
What does “lighter” mean?
The word “lighter” means a small handheld device that produces a flame, used to light cigarettes, candles, and so on. In plain terms, most often a small flame-producing device for lighting cigarettes — but also, less commonly, a cargo barge.
How do you pronounce “lighter”?
“Lighter” is pronounced LEYE-tuh (/ˈlaɪtɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “lighter” in a sentence?
Here is “lighter” used in a sentence: “He flicked the lighter but it wouldn't catch.”
What part of speech is “lighter”?
Depending on how it is used, “lighter” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “lighter” a common word?
“Lighter” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “lighter” have?
“Lighter” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small handheld device that produces a flame, used to light cigarettes, candles, and so on.
Is lighter the comparative of light or a separate word?
Both exist. Lighter is the regular comparative of the adjective light, as in 'this bag is lighter', and it is also an unrelated noun for a small handheld device that produces a flame, as well as for a flat-bottomed cargo barge. Context tells you which is meant.
What is a lighter in shipping?
In shipping, a lighter is a flat-bottomed barge used to move cargo over short distances, often between a larger ship and the shore. Transferring cargo this way is called lightering, and as a verb, to lighter means to move cargo by barge.
What is the difference between a lighter and a match?
Both are used to produce a flame, but a lighter is a reusable handheld device, while a match is a single-use stick that ignites by friction. Lighters are commonly used for cigarettes, candles, and stoves, and they can be lit repeatedly until the fuel runs out.
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