lightning
Lightning (adj) means Extremely fast, as if moving at the speed of an electrical flash in the sky. Example: “He reacted with lightning speed.”
How to use lightning
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribing something extremely fast, from the flash of electricity seen in storms.
Don't confuse with "lightening" (making lighter) — a very common spelling mix-up.
Word forms
lightninged past tense, lightnings singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He reacted with _____ speed.
Etymology
From lighten + -ing; a doublet of "lightening," though the two words diverged in spelling and meaning.
Synonyms
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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.
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