light

1. 1

   Electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range visible to the human eye (about 400–750 nanometers): visible light.uncountable

   • As you can see, this spacious dining-room gets a lot of light in the mornings.
   • When the studio light is on, I am recording my evening show.
2. 2

   Electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range visible to the human eye or in nearby ranges (infrared or ultraviolet radiation).broadlycountableuncountable

   • black light
3. 3

   Electromagnetic radiation of any wavelength.broadlycountableuncommon

   • It’s everywhere. At this moment, as you sit quietly reading this book, you are awash in it. At work, it’s emanating from your electronic devices; step outside for lunch, and the sun bathes you in it. You may receive an extra dose of it when
4. 4

   A source of illumination.countable

   • Put that light out!
5. 5

   A source of illumination.; A lightbulb or similar light-emitting device, regardless of whether it is lit.countableuncountable

   • We turned off all the lights and went to sleep.
6. 6

   A source of illumination.; A traffic light, or (by extension) an intersection controlled by traffic lights.countableuncountable

   • To get to our house, turn right at the third light.
7. 7

   Spiritual or mental illumination; enlightenment, useful information.countablefigurativelyuncountable

   • Can you throw any light on this problem?
8. 8

   Facts; pieces of information; ideas, concepts.archaiccountablein-plural

   • Now these notions are twofold, actions or habits[…], which are durable lights and notions, which we may use when we will.
   • "Well, there's her statement of her case, and according to her lights, it's a just one. She's got a slum-bred mind."
9. 9

   A notable person within a specific field or discipline.countableuncountable

   • Picasso was one of the leading lights of the cubist movement.
10. 10

    The manner in which the light strikes a picture; that part of a picture which represents those objects upon which the light is supposed to fall; the more illuminated part of a landscape or other scene; opposed to shade.countableuncountable

syn. visible light · luminance · radiation

ant. darkness · T-ray · X-ray · alpha ray · beta ray · gamma ray · infrared · longwave

1. 1

   To start (a fire).transitive

   • We lit the fire to get some heat.
2. 2

   To set fire to; to set burning.transitive

   • She lit her last match.
3. 3

   To illuminate; to provide light for when it is dark.transitive

   • I used my torch to light the way home through the woods in the night.
   • 19th century', Frederic Harrison, The Fortnightly Review One hundred years ago, to have lit this theatre as brilliantly as it is now lighted would have cost, I suppose, fifty pounds.
4. 4

   To become ignited; to take fire.intransitive

   • This soggy match will not light.
5. 5

   To attend or conduct with a light; to show the way to by means of a light.

   • His bishops lead him forth, and light him on.
6. 6

   To make (a bonus) available to be collected by hitting a target, and thus light up the feature light corresponding to that bonus to indicate its availability.transitive

   • Light the extra ball by amassing 500 million points in the wizard mode.

1. 1

   Having light; bright; clear; not dark or obscure.

   • The room is light when the Sun shines through the window.
2. 2

   Pale or whitish in color; highly luminous and more or less deficient in chroma.

   • She had light skin.
3. 3

   Served with extra milk or cream.

   • Do you want your coffee light or black? -I like mine light.

syn. with milk · with cream · ablaze · coruscating · dazzling · effulgent · flashy · gleaming · glowing · hot · illuminated · incandescent

ant. cloudy · dark · dim · dull · shady

1. 1

   Having little or relatively little actual weight; not heavy; not cumbrous or unwieldy.

   • a light load a lighter backpack after having removed the books light weapons
2. 2

   Having little weight as compared with bulk; of little density or specific gravity.

   • feathers and cork are light oil is lighter than water
3. 3

   Of short or insufficient weight; weighing less than the legal, standard, or proper amount; clipped or diminished.

   • to issue light coin
4. 4

   Lacking that which burdens or makes heavy.; Free from burden or impediment; unencumbered.

5. 5

   Lacking that which burdens or makes heavy.; Lightly built; typically designed for speed or small loads.

   • a light aircraft a light tank
6. 6

   Lacking that which burdens or makes heavy.; Not heavily armed; armed with light weapons.

   • light infantry; a troop of light horse
7. 7

   Lacking that which burdens or makes heavy.; Riding high because of no cargo; by extension, pertaining to a ship which is light.

   • if a ship is light or partially loaded the light draft of a vessel, or its light displacement
8. 8

   Lacking that which burdens or makes heavy.; Without any piece of equipment attached or attached only to a caboose.

   • the light locomotives a locomotive may be moved light
9. 9

   Lacking that which burdens or makes heavy.; With low viscosity.

10. 10

    Not heavy or soggy; spongy; well raised.

    • a light bread sponge cake is a light cake

syn. ablaze · coruscating · dazzling · effulgent · flashy · gleaming · glowing · hot · illuminated · incandescent · irradiated · lit

ant. heavy · weighty · burdensome · cumbersome · heavyweight · massive · calorific · fatty

1. 1

   Carrying little.

   • I prefer to travel light.

1. 1

   A stone that is not thrown hard enough.

2. 2

   See lights (“lungs”).

3. 3

   A low-alcohol lager.Australiauncountable

   • We crossed to the pub on the corner of Carlisle Street and I ordered two schooners of old for him and one of light for me.
4. 4

   A member of the light cavalry.historical

syn. luminance · radiation

ant. darkness · T-ray · X-ray · alpha ray · beta ray · gamma ray · infrared · longwave

1. 1

   To unload a ship, or to jettison material to make it lighter.

2. 2

   To lighten; to ease of a burden; to take off.

   • His mailèd habergeon she did undight, / And from his head his heavy burgonet did light.
3. 3

   To leave; to depart.broadly

1. 1

   To find by chance.

   • I lit upon a rare book in a second-hand bookseller's.
2. 2

   To stop upon (of eyes or a glance); to notice.

   • "Sacredam!" he cried, when his eyes lit upon Buck. "Dat one dam bully dog! Eh? How moch?"
3. 3

   To alight; to land or come down.archaic

   • She fell out of the window but luckily lit on her feet.
   • And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel.