noun
limelight
LYM-lyt
Limelight (noun) means the center of public attention; fame and visibility. Example: “After the award, she found herself thrust into the limelight.”
noun
1
The center of public attention; fame and visibility.
"After the award, she found herself thrust into the limelight."
2
Historical: a bright stage light produced by heating a block of lime, once used in theatres.
"Before electric lighting, actors performed under limelight."
How to use limelight
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBeing the center of public attention, like a performer under a spotlight.
Common pairings
in the limelight
steal the limelight
avoid the limelight
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Word forms
- Plural
- limelights
- Third person singular
- limelights
- Past tense
- limelighted, limelit
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
After the award, she found herself thrust into the _____.
Etymology
From lime (the mineral, heated to produce light) plus light — the old stage-lighting technology gave us the modern figurative meaning.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for limelight
See all rhymes for limelight →Frequently asked questions
What does “limelight” mean?
The word “limelight” means the center of public attention; fame and visibility. In plain terms, being the center of public attention, like a performer under a spotlight.
How do you pronounce “limelight”?
“Limelight” is pronounced LYM-lyt (/ˈlaɪm.laɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “limelight” in a sentence?
Here is “limelight” used in a sentence: “After the award, she found herself thrust into the limelight.”
What part of speech is “limelight”?
“Limelight” is a noun.
How many meanings does “limelight” have?
“Limelight” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the center of public attention; fame and visibility.
