light

/laɪt/

/laɪt/

Other forms: lighted; lights; lighting; lightest

It's pitch black in your room so you switch on the lamp, and your room is filled with light. Light is a source of illumination, whether a natural one (like the sun) or an artificial one (like your lamp).

Like light itself, the word can take a lot of different forms — it can be a noun, an adjective, or a verb, and it can mean "bright" or "not heavy". No matter how you define it, though, the word comes from the Old English word leoht.

Definitions of light

1. noun

   (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
   “the light was filtered through a soft glass window”

   synonyms: visible light, visible radiation

   types:

   beam, beam of light, irradiation, light beam, ray, ray of light, shaft, shaft of light

   a column of light (as from a beacon)

   candle flame, candlelight

   the light provided by a burning candle

   corona

   one or more circles of light seen around a luminous object

   counterglow, gegenschein

   a faint spot of light in the night sky that appears directly opposite the position of the sun; a reflection of sunlight by micrometeoric material in space

   daylight

   light during the daytime

   firelight

   the light of a fire (especially in a fireplace)

   fluorescence

   light emitted during absorption of radiation of some other (invisible) wavelength

   friar's lantern, ignis fatuus, jack-o'-lantern, will-o'-the-wisp

   a pale light sometimes seen at night over marshy ground

   gaslight

   light yielded by the combustion of illuminating gas

   glow, glowing, radiance

   the amount of electromagnetic radiation leaving or arriving at a point on a surface

   glow

   a steady even light without flames

   half-light

   a greyish light (as at dawn or dusk or in dim interiors)

   glow, incandescence

   the phenomenon of light emission by a body as its temperature is raised

   lamplight

   light from a lamp

   luminescence, phosphorescence

   light not due to incandescence; occurs at low temperatures

   meteor, shooting star

   a streak of light created when a small piece of rock or metal moving through space enters Earth's atmosphere and burns up due to friction with the air

   Moon, moonlight, moonshine

   the light of the Moon

   starlight

   the light of the stars

   sun, sunlight, sunshine

   the rays of the sun

   scintillation

   (physics) a flash of light that is produced in a phosphor when it absorbs a photon or ionizing particle

   streamer

   light that streams

   torchlight

   light from a torch or torches

   twilight

   the diffused light from the sky when the sun is below the horizon but its rays are refracted by the atmosphere of the earth

   aureole, corona

   the outermost region of the sun's atmosphere; visible as a white halo during a solar eclipse

   autofluorescence

   self-induced fluorescence

   sky glow

   illumination of the night sky in urban areas

   heat ray

   a ray that produces a thermal effect

   high beam

   the beam of a car's headlights that provides distant illumination

   bioluminescence

   luminescence produced by physiological processes (as in the firefly)

   chemiluminescence

   luminescence resulting from a chemical reaction as the oxidation of luciferin in fireflies

   bolide, fireball

   an especially luminous meteor (sometimes exploding)

   moon ray, moon-ray, moonbeam

   a ray of moonlight

   sunburst

   a sudden emergence of the sun from behind clouds

   sunbeam, sunray

   a ray of sunlight

   laser beam

   a beam of light generated by a laser

   low beam

   the beam of a car's headlights that provides illumination for a short distance

   phosphorescence

   a fluorescence that persists after the bombarding radiation has ceased

   type of:

   actinic radiation, actinic ray

   electromagnetic radiation that can produce photochemical reactions
2. noun

   the quality of being luminous; emitting or reflecting light
   synonyms: brightness, brightness level, luminance, luminosity, luminousness

   types:

   illuminance, illumination

   the luminous flux incident on a unit area

   incandescence

   light from heat

   glow, luminescence

   light from nonthermal sources

   type of:

   physical property

   any property used to characterize matter and energy and their interactions
3. noun

   an illuminated area
   “he stepped into the light”

   type of:

   scene

   the place where some action occurs
4. noun

   the visual effect of illumination on objects or scenes as created in pictures
   “he could paint the lightest light and the darkest dark”

   synonyms: lightness

   types:

   aura, aureole, gloriole, glory, halo, nimbus

   an indication of radiant light drawn around the head of a saint

   sunniness

   lightness created by sunlight

   highlight, highlighting

   an area of lightness in a picture

   brightness

   the location of a visual perception along a continuum from black to white

   cloudlessness

   the lightness of a sunny day when there are no clouds in the sky

   blaze, brilliance, glare

   a light within the field of vision that is brighter than the brightness to which the eyes are adapted

   dazzle

   brightness enough to blind partially and temporarily

   glisten, glister, glitter, scintillation, sparkle

   the quality of shining with a bright reflected light

   flash

   a momentary brightness

   glint

   a spatially localized brightness

   iridescence, opalescence

   the visual property of something having a milky brightness and a play of colors from the surface

   effulgence, radiance, radiancy, refulgence, refulgency, shine

   the quality of being bright and sending out rays of light

   brilliancy, luster, lustre, splendor, splendour

   a quality that outshines the usual

   type of:

   visual property

   an attribute of vision
5. noun

   having abundant light or illumination
   “they played as long as it was light”

   synonyms: lighting

   antonyms:

   dark

   absence of light or illumination

   type of:

   illumination

   the degree of visibility of your environment
6. noun

   any device serving as a source of illumination
   “he stopped the car and turned off the lights”

   synonyms: light source

   types:

   anchor light, riding lamp, riding light

   a light in the rigging of a ship that is riding at anchor

   blinker, flasher

   a light that flashes on and off; used as a signal or to send messages

   fairy light

   a small colored light used for decoration (especially at Christmas)

   flood, flood lamp, floodlight, photoflood

   light that is a source of artificial illumination having a broad beam; used in photography

   headlamp, headlight

   a powerful light with reflector; attached to the front of an automobile or locomotive

   houselights

   lights that illuminate the audience's part of a theater or other auditorium

   jacklight

   a light used as a lure in hunting or fishing at night

   navigation light

   light on an airplane that indicates the plane's position and orientation; red light on the left (port) wing tip and green light on the right (starboard) wing tip

   night-light

   light (as a candle or small bulb) that burns in a bedroom at night (as for children or invalids)

   panel light

   a light to illuminate an instrument panel

   room light

   light that provides general illumination for a room

   sconce

   a candle or flaming torch secured in a sconce

   searchlight

   a light source with reflectors that projects a beam of light in a particular direction

   running light, sidelight

   light carried by a boat that indicates the boat's direction; vessels at night carry a red light on the port bow and a green light on the starboard bow

   strip lighting

   light consisting of long tubes (instead of bulbs) that provide the illumination

   theater light

   any of various lights used in a theater

   torch

   a light usually carried in the hand; consists of some flammable substance

   flambeau

   a flaming torch (such as are used in processions at night)

   foglamp

   headlight that provides strong beam for use in foggy weather

   footlights

   theater light at the front of a stage that illuminate the set and actors

   type of:

   source of illumination

   any device serving as a source of visible electromagnetic radiation
7. noun

   a visual warning signal
   “they saw the light of the beacon”

   “there was a light at every corner”

   types:

   stoplight, traffic light, traffic signal

   a visual signal to control the flow of traffic at intersections

   go-ahead, green light

   a signal to proceed

   red light

   the signal to stop

   yellow light

   the signal to proceed with caution

   type of:

   visual signal

   a signal that involves visual communication
8. noun

   a particular perspective or aspect of a situation
   “although he saw it in a different light, he still did not understand”

   type of:

   perspective, position, view

   a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
9. noun

   public awareness
   “it brought the scandal to light”

   type of:

   general knowledge, public knowledge

   knowledge that is available to anyone
10. noun

    mental understanding as an enlightening experience
    “he finally saw the light”

    “can you shed light on this problem?”

    type of:

    brainstorm, brainwave, insight

    the clear (and often sudden) understanding of a complex situation
11. noun

    a condition of spiritual awareness; divine illumination
    “follow God's light”

    synonyms: illumination

    type of:

    condition, status

    a state at a particular time
12. noun

    a person regarded very fondly
    “the light of my life”

    type of:

    friend

    a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
13. noun

    merriment expressed by a brightness or gleam or animation of countenance
    synonyms: spark, sparkle, twinkle

    type of:

    verve, vitality

    an energetic style

    aspect, expression, face, facial expression, look

    the feelings expressed on a person's face
14. adjective

    characterized by or emitting light
    “a room that is light when the shutters are open”

    “the inside of the house was airy and light”

    synonyms:

    ablaze, inflamed, reddened

    lighted with red light as if with flames

    autofluorescent

    emitting light via self-induced fluorescence

    bioluminescent

    (of living organisms) emitting light

    bright

    having lots of light either natural or artificial

    candescent

    glowing from great heat

    floodlighted, floodlit

    illuminated by means of floodlights

    fluorescent

    emitting light during exposure to radiation from an external source

    illuminated, lighted, lit, well-lighted

    provided with artificial light

    candent, incandescent

    emitting light as a result of being heated

    lamplit

    lighted by a lamp

    lighting-up

    turning lights on

    livid

    (of a light) imparting a deathlike luminosity

    luminescent

    emitting light not caused by heat

    phosphorescent

    emitting light without appreciable heat as by slow oxidation of phosphorous

    sunlit, sunstruck

    lighted by sunlight

    white

    of summer nights in northern latitudes where the sun barely sets

    antonyms:

    dark

    devoid of or deficient in light or brightness; shadowed or black

    Acheronian, Acherontic, Stygian

    dark and dismal as of the rivers Acheron and Styx in Hades

    aphotic

    lacking light; especially not reached by sunlight

    black, pitch-black, pitch-dark

    extremely dark

    caliginous

    dark and misty and gloomy

    Cimmerian

    intensely dark and gloomy as with perpetual darkness

    crepuscular

    like twilight; dim

    darkened

    become or made dark by lack of light

    darkening

    becoming dark or darker as from waning light or clouding over

    darkling

    (poetic) occurring in the dark or night

    darkling

    uncannily or threateningly dark or obscure

    dim, subdued

    lacking in light; not bright or harsh

    dusky, twilight, twilit

    lighted by or as if by twilight

    gloomful, glooming, gloomy, sulky

    depressingly dark

    lightless, unilluminated, unlighted, unlit

    without illumination

    semidark

    partially devoid of light or brightness

    Stygian, tenebrific, tenebrious, tenebrous

    dark and gloomy
15. adjective

    (used of color) having a relatively small amount of coloring agent
    “light blue”

    “light colors such as pastels”

    “a light-colored powder”

    synonyms: light-colored

    white

    being of the achromatic color of maximum lightness; having little or no hue owing to reflection of almost all incident light

    pale

    very light colored; highly diluted with white

    palish

    slightly pale

    pastel

    delicate and pale in color

    powdery

    as if dulled in color with a sprinkling of powder

    antonyms:

    dark

    (used of color) having a dark hue

    black

    being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

    darkish

    slightly dark
16. adjective

    (of sound or color) free from anything that dulls or dims
    “a light lilting voice like a silver bell”

    synonyms: clean, clear, unclouded

    pure

    free of extraneous elements of any kind
17. verb

    make lighter or brighter
    synonyms: illume, illuminate, illumine, light up

    types:

    floodlight

    illuminate with floodlights

    spotlight

    illuminate with a spotlight, as in the theater

    type of:

    lighten, lighten up

    become lighter
18. adjective

    of comparatively little physical weight or density
    “a light load”

    “magnesium is a light metal--having a specific gravity of 1.74 at 20 degrees C”

    synonyms:

    lightweight

    weighing relatively little compared with another item or object of similar use

    airy

    having little or no perceptible weight; so light as to resemble air

    buoyant, floaty

    tending to float on a liquid or rise in air or gas

    lighter-than-air

    relating to a balloon or other aircraft that flies because it weighs less than the air it displaces

    low-density

    having low relative density or specific gravity

    antonyms:

    heavy

    of comparatively great physical weight or density

    dense

    having high relative density or specific gravity

    doughy, soggy

    having the consistency of dough because of insufficient leavening or improper cooking

    heavier-than-air

    relating to an aircraft heavier than the air it displaces

    hefty

    of considerable weight and size

    massive

    consisting of great mass; containing a great quantity of matter

    non-buoyant

    tending to sink in a liquid or fall in air

    ponderous

    having great mass and weight and unwieldiness
19. adjective

    not great in degree or quantity or number
    “a light sentence”

    “a light accent”

    “casualties were light”

    “light snow was falling”

    “light misty rain”

    “light smoke from the chimney”

    antonyms:

    heavy

    unusually great in degree or quantity or number

    harsh

    severe
20. adjective

    very thin and insubstantial
    “light summer dresses”

    synonyms:

    thin

    of relatively small extent from one surface to the opposite or in cross section
21. adjective

    demanding little effort; not burdensome
    “light housework”

    “light exercise”

    synonyms:

    undemanding

    requiring little if any patience or effort or skill
22. adjective

    of little intensity or power or force
    “the light touch of her fingers”

    “a light breeze”

    synonyms:

    easy, gentle, soft

    having little impact

    antonyms:

    heavy

    of great intensity or power or force

    big

    marked by intense physical force
23. adjective

    (physics, chemistry) not having atomic weight greater than average
    “light water is ordinary water”

    antonyms:

    heavy

    (physics, chemistry) being or containing an isotope with greater than average atomic mass or weight
24. adjective

    less than the correct or legal or full amount often deliberately so
    “a light pound”

    synonyms: scant, short

    deficient, insufficient

    of a quantity not able to fulfill a need or requirement
25. adjective

    moving easily and quickly; nimble
    “the dancer was light and graceful”

    “walked with a light tripping step”

    synonyms: lightsome, tripping

    light-footed

    (of movement) having a light and springy step
26. adjective

    designed for ease of movement or to carry little weight
    “light aircraft”

    “a light truck”

    synonyms:

    light-duty

    not designed for heavy work
27. adjective

    of the military or industry; using (or being) relatively small or light arms or equipment
    “light infantry”

    “light cavalry”

    “light industry”

    “light weapons”

    synonyms:

    light-armed, lightly-armed

    armed with light weapons

    antonyms:

    heavy

    of the military or industry; using (or being) the heaviest and most powerful armaments or weapons or equipment
28. adjective

    psychologically light; especially free from sadness or troubles
    “a light heart”

    synonyms:

    casual, fooling

    characterized by a feeling of irresponsibility

    antonyms:

    heavy

    marked by great psychological weight; weighted down especially with sadness or troubles or weariness

    burdensome, onerous, taxing

    not easily borne; wearing

    distressful, distressing, disturbing, perturbing, troubling, worrisome, worrying

    causing distress or worry or anxiety

    leaden, weighted

    made heavy or weighted down with weariness

    oppressive

    weighing heavily on the senses or spirit

    weighty

    weighing heavily on the spirit; causing anxiety or worry
29. adjective

    intended primarily as entertainment; not serious or profound
    “light verse”

    “a light comedy”

    synonyms:

    frivolous

    not serious in content or attitude or behavior
30. adjective

    having little importance
    “losing his job was no light matter”

    synonyms:

    insignificant, unimportant

    devoid of importance, meaning, or force
31. adjective

    silly or trivial
    “light banter”

    synonyms: idle

    frivolous

    not serious in content or attitude or behavior
32. adjective

    casual and unrestrained in sexual behavior
    synonyms: easy, loose, promiscuous, sluttish, wanton

    unchaste

    not chaste
33. adjective

    easily assimilated in the alimentary canal; not rich or heavily seasoned
    “a light diet”

    synonyms:

    digestible

    capable of being converted into assimilable condition in the alimentary canal
34. adjective

    having relatively few calories
    “lite (or light) mayonnaise”

    synonyms: calorie-free, lite, low-cal

    fat-free, fatless, nonfat

    without fat or fat solids

    antonyms:

    calorific

    relatively high in calories
35. adjective

    marked by temperance in indulgence
    “a light eater”

    “ate a light supper”

    synonyms: abstemious

    temperate

    not extreme in behavior
36. adjective

    (of sleep) easily disturbed
    “in a light doze”

    “a light sleeper”

    synonyms: wakeful

    shallow

    not deep or strong; not affecting one deeply
37. adjective

    weak and likely to lose consciousness
    “felt light in the head”

    “light-headed from lack of sleep”

    synonyms: faint, light-headed, lightheaded, swooning

    ill, sick

    affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
38. adjective

    (used of vowels or syllables) pronounced with little or no stress
    “a syllable that ends in a short vowel is a light syllable”

    synonyms: unaccented, weak

    unstressed

    not bearing a stress or accent
39. adverb

    with few burdens
    “experienced travellers travel light”

    synonyms: lightly
40. verb

    cause to start burning; subject to fire or great heat
    synonyms: ignite

    types:

    fire up, light up

    begin to smoke

    reignite

    ignite anew, as of something burning

    conflagrate, enkindle, inflame, kindle

    cause to start burning

    light up

    ignite

    flare up

    ignite quickly and suddenly, especially after having died down

    rekindle

    kindle anew, as of a fire

    inflame, kindle

    catch fire

    type of:

    burn, combust

    cause to burn or combust
41. verb

    begin to smoke
    synonyms: fire up, light up

    type of:

    ignite

    cause to start burning; subject to fire or great heat
42. noun

    a device for lighting or igniting fuel or charges or fires
    synonyms: igniter, ignitor, lighter

    types:

    cigar lighter, cigarette lighter, pocket lighter

    a lighter for cigars or cigarettes

    fuse, fusee, fuze, fuzee, primer, priming

    any igniter that is used to initiate the burning of a propellant

    friction match, lucifer, match

    lighter consisting of a thin piece of wood or cardboard tipped with combustible chemical; ignites with friction

    match

    a burning piece of wood or cardboard

    detonating fuse

    a fuse containing an explosive

    fusee, fuzee

    a friction match with a large head that will stay alight in the wind

    kitchen match

    a wooden friction match that will light on any granular surface; useful to light wood or gas stoves

    safety fuse

    a slow-burning fuse consisting of a tube or cord filled or saturated with combustible matter; used to ignite detonators from a distance

    book matches, safety match

    a paper match that strikes only on a specially prepared surface

    slow match

    match or fuse made to burn slowly and evenly

    time-fuse

    a fuse made to burn for a given time (especially to explode a bomb)

    type of:

    device

    an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose
43. verb

    to come to rest, settle
    “Misfortune lighted upon him”

    synonyms: alight, perch

    type of:

    land, set down

    reach or come to rest
44. verb

    fall to somebody by assignment or lot
    synonyms: fall

    accrue, fall

    come into the possession of

    fall

    to be given by assignment or distribution

    type of:

    devolve, fall, pass, return

    be inherited by
45. verb

    alight from (a horse)
    synonyms: dismount, get down, get off, unhorse

    type of:

    come down, descend, fall, go down

    move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
46. adjective

    (used of soil) loose and large-grained in consistency
    “light soil”

    synonyms:

    loose

    not compact or dense in structure or arrangement