Definitions of light [ɪt]

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Definition of 'light'

Random House Webster's College Dictionary

1. (n.) light
something that makes things visible or affords illumination:
All colors depend on light.

2.  light
electromagnetic radiation to which the organs of sight react, ranging in wavelength from about 400 to 700 nanometers and propagated at a speed of 186,282 miles per second (299,972 km/sec).

3.  light
electromagnetic radiation just beyond either end of the visible spectrum; ultraviolet or infrared radiation.

4.  light
the sensation produced by stimulation of the organs of sight.

5.  light
an illuminating agent or source, as the sun, a lamp, or a beacon.

6.  light
the radiance or illumination from a particular source, as a candle or the sun.

7.  light
the illumination from the sun; daylight, daybreak, or dawn.

8.  light
daytime.

9.  light
a particular light or illumination in which an object seen takes on a certain appearance:
viewing the portrait in dim light.

10.  light
a device for or means of igniting, as a spark, flame, or match.

11.  light
a traffic light.

12.  light
the aspect in which a thing appears or is regarded:
Try to look at the situation in a better light.

13.  light
Art.

14.  light
the effect of light falling on an object or scene as represented in a picture.

15.  light
one of the brightest parts of a picture.

16.  light
a gleam or sparkle, as in the eyes.

17.  light
a measure or supply of light; illumination.

18.  light
spiritual illumination or awareness; enlightenment.

19.  light
a window, or a pane or compartment of a window.

20.  light
mental insight; understanding.

21.  light
lights, the information, ideas, or mental capacities possessed:
to act according to one's lights.

22.  light
a lighthouse.

23. (adj.) light
having light or illumination; bright; well-lighted.

24.  light
pale, whitish, or not deep or dark in color:
a light blue.

25.  light
(of coffee or tea) containing enough milk or cream to produce a light color.

26. (v.t.) light
to set burning, as a candle, lamp, fire, match, or cigarette; kindle; ignite.

27.  light
to turn or switch on (an electric light):
to light the lamp.

28.  light
to give light to; furnish with light or illumination:
to light a room.

29.  light
to make (an area or object) bright with or as if with light (often fol. by up).

30.  light
to cause (the face, surroundings, etc.) to brighten, esp. with joy, animation, or the like (often fol. by up):
A smile lit up her face.

31.  light
to guide or conduct with a light.

32. (v.i.) light
to take fire or become kindled.

33.  light
to ignite a cigar, cigarette, or pipe for purposes of smoking (usu. fol. by up).

34.  light
to become illuminated when switched on:
This table lamp won't light.

35.  light
to become bright, as with light or color (often fol. by up):
The sky lights up at sunrise.

36.  light
to brighten with animation or joy, as the face or eyes (often fol. by up).

37.  light
to come into existence or prominence.

38.  light
to understand something at last.

39. (adj.) light
of little weight; not heavy:
a light load.

40.  light
of little weight in proportion to bulk; of low specific gravity:
a light metal.

41.  light
of less than the usual or average weight:
light clothing.

42.  light
weighing less than the proper or standard amount.

43.  light
of small amount, force, intensity, etc.:
a light rain; light sleep.

44.  light
using or applying little or slight pressure or force.

45.  light
not distinct; faint.

46.  light
easy to endure, deal with, or perform; not difficult or burdensome:
light duties.

47.  light
not very profound or serious; amusing or entertaining:
light reading.

48.  light
of little importance or consequence; trivial:
The loss of a job is no light matter.

49.  light
easily digested:
light food.

50.  light
not rich or heavy:
a light snack.

51.  light
(of alcoholic beverages)

52.  light
not heavy or strong:
a light apéritif.

53.  light
(esp. of beer and wine) having fewer calories and usu. a lower alcohol content than the standard product.

54.  light
spongy or well-leavened, as cake.

55.  light
(of soil) containing much sand; porous or crumbly.

56.  light
slender or delicate in form or appearance.

57.  light
airy or buoyant in movement; nimble or agile:
light on one's feet.

58.  light
free from trouble, sorrow, or worry; cheerful; carefree:
a light heart.

59.  light
characterized by lack of proper seriousness; frivolous.

60.  light
sexually promiscuous; loose.

61.  light
easily swayed; changeable; volatile.

62.  light
dizzy; slightly delirious.

63.  light
(of soldiers) lightly armed or equipped:
light cavalry.

64.  light
having little or no cargo, encumbrance, or the like; not burdened:
a light freighter.

65.  light
adapted by small weight or slight build for small loads or swift movement:
a light truck.

66.  light
using small-scale machinery primarily for the production of consumer goods:
light industry.

67.  light
(of a syllable)

68.  light
unstressed.

69.  light
short.

70. (adv.) light
without much or extra baggage:
to travel light.

71. (v.i.) light
to get down or descend, as from a horse or a vehicle.

72.  light
to come to rest, as on a spot or thing; fall or settle upon; land:
The bird lighted on the branch.

73.  light
to come by chance; happen; hit (usu. fol. by on or upon):
to light on a clue.

74.  light
to settle on a place or person:
The choice lighted upon our candidate.

75.  light
light into, to attack physically or verbally.

76.  light
Informal. to depart quickly.

Etymology: (bef. 900; ME lihten, OE līhtan to make light, relieve of a weight; see light²)

Definition of 'light'

Princeton's WordNet

1. (noun) light, visible light, visible radiation
(physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
"the light was filtered through a soft glass window"

2. (noun) light, light source
any device serving as a source of illumination
"he stopped the car and turned off the lights"

3. (noun) light
a particular perspective or aspect of a situation
"although he saw it in a different light, he still did not understand"

4. (noun) luminosity, brightness, brightness level, luminance, luminousness, light
the quality of being luminous; emitting or reflecting light
"its luminosity is measured relative to that of our sun"

5. (noun) light
an illuminated area
"he stepped into the light"

6. (noun) light, illumination
a condition of spiritual awareness; divine illumination
"follow God's light"

7. (noun) light, lightness
the visual effect of illumination on objects or scenes as created in pictures
"he could paint the lightest light and the darkest dark"

8. (noun) light
a person regarded very fondly
"the light of my life"

9. (noun) light, lighting
having abundant light or illumination
"they played as long as it was light"; "as long as the lighting was good"

10. (noun) light
mental understanding as an enlightening experience
"he finally saw the light"; "can you shed light on this problem?"

11. (noun) sparkle, twinkle, spark, light
merriment expressed by a brightness or gleam or animation of countenance
"he had a sparkle in his eye"; "there's a perpetual twinkle in his eyes"

12. (noun) light
public awareness
"it brought the scandal to light"

13. (noun) Inner Light, Light, Light Within, Christ Within
a divine presence believed by Quakers to enlighten and guide the soul

14. (noun) light
a visual warning signal
"they saw the light of the beacon"; "there was a light at every corner"

15. (adj) lighter, light, igniter, ignitor
a device for lighting or igniting fuel or charges or fires
"do you have a light?"

16. (adj) light
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"

17. (adj) light, light-colored
(used of color) having a relatively small amount of coloring agent
"light blue"; "light colors such as pastels"; "a light-colored powder"

18. (adj) light
of the military or industry; using (or being) relatively small or light arms or equipment
"light infantry"; "light cavalry"; "light industry"; "light weapons"

19. (adj) light
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"

20. (adj) light
psychologically light; especially free from sadness or troubles
"a light heart"

21. (adj) light
characterized by or emitting light
"a room that is light when the shutters are open"; "the inside of the house was airy and light"

22. (adj) unaccented, light, weak
(used of vowels or syllables) pronounced with little or no stress
"a syllable that ends in a short vowel is a light syllable"; "a weak stress on the second syllable"

23. (adj) light
easily assimilated in the alimentary canal; not rich or heavily seasoned
"a light diet"

24. (adj) light
(used of soil) loose and large-grained in consistency
"light soil"

25. (adj) clean, clear, light, unclouded
(of sound or color) free from anything that dulls or dims
"efforts to obtain a clean bass in orchestral recordings"; "clear laughter like a waterfall"; "clear reds and blues"; "a light lilting voice like a silver bell"

26. (adj) light, lightsome, tripping
moving easily and quickly; nimble
"the dancer was light and graceful"; "a lightsome buoyant step"; "walked with a light tripping step"

27. (adj) light
demanding little effort; not burdensome
"light housework"; "light exercise"

28. (adj) light
of little intensity or power or force
"the light touch of her fingers"; "a light breeze"

29. (adj) light
(physics, chemistry) not having atomic weight greater than average
"light water is ordinary water"

30. (adj) faint, light, swooning, light-headed, lightheaded
weak and likely to lose consciousness
"suddenly felt faint from the pain"; "was sick and faint from hunger"; "felt light in the head"; "a swooning fit"; "light-headed with wine"; "light-headed from lack of sleep"

31. (adj) light
very thin and insubstantial
"thin paper"; "light summer dresses"

32. (adj) abstemious, light(a)
marked by temperance in indulgence
"abstemious with the use of adverbs"; "a light eater"; "a light smoker"; "ate a light supper"

33. (adj) light, scant(p), short
less than the correct or legal or full amount often deliberately so
"a light pound"; "a scant cup of sugar"; "regularly gives short weight"

34. (adj) light
having little importance
"losing his job was no light matter"

35. (adj) light
intended primarily as entertainment; not serious or profound
"light verse"; "a light comedy"

36. (adj) idle, light
silly or trivial
"idle pleasure"; "light banter"; "light idle chatter"

37. (adj) light
designed for ease of movement or to carry little weight
"light aircraft"; "a light truck"

38. (adj) light, lite, low-cal, calorie-free
having relatively few calories
"diet cola"; "light (or lite) beer"; "lite (or light) mayonnaise"; "a low-cal diet"

39. (adj) light, wakeful
(of sleep) easily disturbed
"in a light doze"; "a light sleeper"; "a restless wakeful night"

40. (verb) easy, light, loose, promiscuous, sluttish, wanton
casual and unrestrained in sexual behavior
"her easy virtue"; "he was told to avoid loose (or light) women"; "wanton behavior"

41. (verb) light, illume, illumine, light up, illuminate
make lighter or brighter
"This lamp lightens the room a bit"

42. (verb) light up, fire up, light
begin to smoke
"After the meal, some of the diners lit up"

43. (verb) alight, light, perch
to come to rest, settle
"Misfortune lighted upon him"

44. (verb) ignite, light
cause to start burning; subject to fire or great heat
"Great heat can ignite almost any dry matter"; "Light a cigarette"

45. (verb) fall, light
fall to somebody by assignment or lot
"The task fell to me"; "It fell to me to notify the parents of the victims"

46. (adverb) unhorse, dismount, light, get off, get down
alight from (a horse)

47. (adverb) lightly, light
with few burdens
"experienced travellers travel light"

Definition of 'light'

Kernerman English Learner’s Dictionary

1. (noun) light
brightness from the sun's rays or an electric light
She read by the light of a small lamp.; the light coming in through the curtains

2.  light
an electrical device that produces brightness
Turn the light on/off.

3.  light
the lights
all the lights in a particular room, building, etc.
when the lights come on in the stadium; Please turn off the lights.

4.  light
a traffic light
Turn right at the next light.

5.  light
come/bring to light
to become or make known
the way the banking scandal came to light; The errors were brought to light in the report.

6.  light
in light of
considering or because of
In light of recent events, changes will be made.

7.  light
light at the end of the tunnel
hope that a bad situation will end soon
I have no money, and there seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel.

8.  light
see the light
to finally realize or understand
Company bosses had finally seen the light with regard to improving working conditions.

9.  light
cast/throw/shed light on
to explain sth
Can anyone throw some light on what happened yesterday?

10.  light
set light to
to set fire to

11. (adjective) light
≠ dark
It's not light enough to take pictures in here.; In winter it gets light later in the morning.

12.  light
≠ dark
a light pink color; very light skin

13.  light
≠ heavy
a light package; light cotton material

14.  light
low in amount
a light supper/snack

15.  light
entertaining, not serious
light reading

16.  light
containing less fat or sugar than usual
light yogurt

17.  light
make light of
to treat sth as if it is not serious
She made light of their troubles.

18. (verb) light
to make sth start burning
to light a match/candle

19.  light
to make bright with the sun, moon, or an electric light
The moon lit the room enough for her to see.

Definition of 'light'

Webster Dictionary

1. (adverb) light
lightly; cheaply

2. (noun) light
that agent, force, or action in nature by the operation of which upon the organs of sight, objects are rendered visible or luminous

3. (noun) light
that which furnishes, or is a source of, light, as the sun, a star, a candle, a lighthouse, etc

4. (noun) light
the time during which the light of the sun is visible; day; especially, the dawn of day

5. (noun) light
the brightness of the eye or eyes

6. (noun) light
the medium through which light is admitted, as a window, or window pane; a skylight; in architecture, one of the compartments of a window made by a mullion or mullions

7. (noun) light
life; existence

8. (noun) light
open view; a visible state or condition; public observation; publicity

9. (noun) light
the power of perception by vision

10. (noun) light
that which illumines or makes clear to the mind; mental or spiritual illumination; enlightenment; knowledge; information

11. (noun) light
prosperity; happiness; joy; felicity

12. (noun) light
the manner in which the light strikes upon 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. Cf. Chiaroscuro

13. (noun) light
appearance due to the particular facts and circumstances presented to view; point of view; as, to state things fairly and put them in the right light

14. (noun) light
one who is conspicuous or noteworthy; a model or example; as, the lights of the age or of antiquity

15. (noun) light
a firework made by filling a case with a substance which burns brilliantly with a white or colored flame; as, a Bengal light

16. (noun) light
to set fire to; to cause to burn; to set burning; to ignite; to kindle; as, to light a candle or lamp; to light the gas; -- sometimes with up

17. (noun) light
to give light to; to illuminate; to fill with light; to spread over with light; -- often with up

18. (noun) light
to attend or conduct with a light; to show the way to by means of a light

19.  light
having light; not dark or obscure; bright; clear; as, the apartment is light

20.  light
white or whitish; not intense or very marked; not of a deep shade; moderately colored; as, a light color; a light brown; a light complexion

21.  light
having little, or comparatively little, weight; not tending to the center of gravity with force; not heavy

22.  light
not burdensome; easy to be lifted, borne, or carried by physical strength; as, a light burden, or load

23.  light
easy to be endured or performed; not severe; not difficult; as, a light affliction or task

24.  light
easy to be digested; not oppressive to the stomach; as, light food; also, containing little nutriment

25.  light
not heavily armed; armed with light weapons; as, light troops; a troop of light horse

26.  light
not encumbered; unembarrassed; clear of impediments; hence, active; nimble; swift

27.  light
not heavily burdened; not deeply laden; not sufficiently ballasted; as, the ship returned light

28.  light
slight; not important; as, a light error

29.  light
well leavened; not heavy; as, light bread

30.  light
not copious or heavy; not dense; not inconsiderable; as, a light rain; a light snow; light vapors

31.  light
not strong or violent; moderate; as, a light wind

32.  light
not pressing heavily or hard upon; hence, having an easy, graceful manner; delicate; as, a light touch; a light style of execution

33.  light
easy to admit influence; inconsiderate; easily influenced by trifling considerations; unsteady; unsettled; volatile; as, a light, vain person; a light mind

34.  light
indulging in, or inclined to, levity; wanting dignity or solemnity; trifling; gay; frivolous; airy; unsubstantial

35.  light
not quite sound or normal; somewhat impaired or deranged; dizzy; giddy

36.  light
easily bestowed; inconsiderately rendered

37.  light
wanton; unchaste; as, a woman of light character

38.  light
not of the legal, standard, or usual weight; clipped; diminished; as, light coin

39.  light
loose; sandy; easily pulverized; as, a light soil

40. (verb) light
to become ignited; to take fire; as, the match will not light

41. (verb) light
to be illuminated; to receive light; to brighten; -- with up; as, the room lights up very well

42. (verb) light
to lighten; to ease of a burden; to take off

43. (verb) light
to dismount; to descend, as from a horse or carriage; to alight; -- with from, off, on, upon, at, in

44. (verb) light
to feel light; to be made happy

45. (verb) light
to descend from flight, and rest, perch, or settle, as a bird or insect

46. (verb) light
to come down suddenly and forcibly; to fall; -- with on or upon

47. (verb) light
to come by chance; to happen; -- with on or upon; formerly with into

Definition of 'light'

U.S. National Library of Medicine

1. light
That portion of the electromagnetic spectrum in the visible, ultraviolet, and infrared range.

Definition of 'light'

Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms

1. light
120mm and less.

Translation of 'light'

Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary

Sense: the brightness given by the sun, a flame, lamps etc that makes things able to be seen It was nearly dawn and the light was getting stronger; Sunlight streamed into the room.
Afrikaans: lig	Arabic: ضَوْء	Bulgarian: светлина
Brazilian: luz	Czech: světlo	German: das Licht
Danish: lys	Greek: φως	Spanish: luz
Estonian: valgus	Farsi: نور	Finnish: valo
French: lumière	Hebrew: אוֹר	Hindi: प्रकाश
Croatian: svjetlost	Hungarian: fény	Indonesian: sinar
Icelandic: ljós, birta	Italian: luce	Japanese: 光
Korean: 빛	Lithuanian: šviesa	Latvian: gaisma
Malay: cahaya	Dutch: licht	Norwegian: lys
Polish: światło	Persian: نور	Pashto: رڼا،روښانتيا
Portuguese: luz	Romanian: lumină	Russian: свет
Slovak: svetlo	Slovenian: svetloba	Serbian: svetlo
Swedish: ljus	Thai: แสงสว่าง	Turkish: ışık
Taiwanese: 光	Ukrainian: світло	Urdu: روشنی
Vietnamese: ánh sáng	Chinese: 光
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