verb
Common
lit
LIHT
Lit (verb) means past tense and past participle of light, used for setting something on fire or turning on a light. Example: “He lit a fire in the garden and we toasted marshmallows.”
verb
1
Past tense and past participle of light, used for setting something on fire or turning on a light.
"He lit a fire in the garden and we toasted marshmallows."
"The campers lit their torches as the sky grew dark."
"She lit the candles before her guests arrived."
adj
1
Having light shining on or in it; illuminated.
"The stage was brightly lit, so everyone could see the performers."
"We walked home along a poorly lit path beside the river."
"The street was well lit even at midnight."
2
(informal) Drunk or high.
"By midnight, half the guests were pretty lit and singing loudly."
"I am not driving, so I might get a bit lit tonight."
"He got a little lit at the office party."
3
(slang) Exciting, excellent, or full of energy.
"The party was lit, and nobody wanted to go home."
"Our team's celebration was lit after they won the match."
"That concert last night was absolutely lit."
How to use lit
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSet on fire, switched on, or (in slang) drunk / thrilling.
When to use it
The "drunk" and "exciting" senses are casual slang — avoid them in formal writing.
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- lits
- Past tense
- litted
- Comparative
- more lit, litter
- Superlative
- most lit, littest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He _____ a fire in the garden and we toasted marshmallows.
Etymology
An old alternative past tense of "light," formed by analogy with words like bit and fit; the slang senses (drunk, excellent) developed much more recently in the 20th and 21st centuries.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for lit
See all rhymes for lit →Frequently asked questions
What does “lit” mean?
The word “lit” means past tense and past participle of light, used for setting something on fire or turning on a light. In plain terms, set on fire, switched on, or (in slang) drunk / thrilling.
How do you pronounce “lit”?
“Lit” is pronounced LIHT (/ˈlɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “lit” in a sentence?
Here is “lit” used in a sentence: “She lit the candles before her guests arrived.”
What part of speech is “lit”?
Depending on how it is used, “lit” can be a verb and an adjective.
Is “lit” a common word?
“Lit” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “lit” have?
“Lit” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: past tense and past participle of light, used for setting something on fire or turning on a light.
What is the difference between "lit" and "lighted"?
Both "lit" and "lighted" are accepted as the past tense and past participle of "light." "Lit" is more common in most contexts, as in "she lit the candle," while "lighted" often sounds more formal and is frequently used as an adjective before a noun, as in "a lighted match."
Is "lit" the correct past tense of "light"?
Yes, "lit" is the standard past tense and past participle of "light," whether it means to set something on fire or to turn on a light. "Lighted" is an accepted alternative, but "lit" is used more often in everyday speech and writing.
What is the difference between "lit" and "illuminated"?
As adjectives, both mean having light shining on or in something. "Lit" is the everyday word, as in "a well-lit room," while "illuminated" is more formal and can also suggest decorative or deliberate lighting, as in "an illuminated sign."
When should you use "lit" as an adjective?
Use "lit" as an adjective to describe something that has light shining on or in it, as in "a dimly lit street" or "a brightly lit stage." It is usually paired with an adverb such as "well," "dimly," or "brightly" to describe the level of light.
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