Vocabulary     

What does light mean?

Definitions for light
laɪtlight

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word light.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. light, visible light, visible radiationnoun

    (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation

    "the light was filtered through a soft glass window"

  2. light, light sourcenoun

    any device serving as a source of illumination

    "he stopped the car and turned off the lights"

  3. lightnoun

    a particular perspective or aspect of a situation

    "although he saw it in a different light, he still did not understand"

  4. luminosity, brightness, brightness level, luminance, luminousness, lightnoun

    the quality of being luminous; emitting or reflecting light

    "its luminosity is measured relative to that of our sun"

  5. lightnoun

    an illuminated area

    "he stepped into the light"

  6. light, illuminationnoun

    a condition of spiritual awareness; divine illumination

    "follow God's light"

  7. light, lightnessnoun

    the visual effect of illumination on objects or scenes as created in pictures

    "he could paint the lightest light and the darkest dark"

  8. lightnoun

    a person regarded very fondly

    "the light of my life"

  9. light, lightingnoun

    having abundant light or illumination

    "they played as long as it was light"; "as long as the lighting was good"

  10. lightnoun

    mental understanding as an enlightening experience

    "he finally saw the light"; "can you shed light on this problem?"

  11. sparkle, twinkle, spark, lightnoun

    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. lightnoun

    public awareness

    "it brought the scandal to light"

  13. Inner Light, Light, Light Within, Christ Withinnoun

    a divine presence believed by Quakers to enlighten and guide the soul

  14. lightnoun

    a visual warning signal

    "they saw the light of the beacon"; "there was a light at every corner"

  15. lighter, light, igniter, ignitoradjective

    a device for lighting or igniting fuel or charges or fires

    "do you have a light?"

  16. lightadjective

    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. light, light-coloredadjective

    (used of color) having a relatively small amount of coloring agent

    "light blue"; "light colors such as pastels"; "a light-colored powder"

  18. lightadjective

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

    "light infantry"; "light cavalry"; "light industry"; "light weapons"

  19. lightadjective

    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. lightadjective

    psychologically light; especially free from sadness or troubles

    "a light heart"

  21. lightadjective

    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. unaccented, light, weakadjective

    (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. lightadjective

    easily assimilated in the alimentary canal; not rich or heavily seasoned

    "a light diet"

  24. lightadjective

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

    "light soil"

  25. clean, clear, light, uncloudedadjective

    (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. light, lightsome, trippingadjective

    moving easily and quickly; nimble

    "the dancer was light and graceful"; "a lightsome buoyant step"; "walked with a light tripping step"

  27. lightadjective

    demanding little effort; not burdensome

    "light housework"; "light exercise"

  28. lightadjective

    of little intensity or power or force

    "the light touch of her fingers"; "a light breeze"

  29. lightadjective

    (physics, chemistry) not having atomic weight greater than average

    "light water is ordinary water"

  30. faint, light, swooning, light-headed, lightheadedadjective

    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. lightadjective

    very thin and insubstantial

    "thin paper"; "light summer dresses"

  32. abstemious, light(a)adjective

    marked by temperance in indulgence

    "abstemious with the use of adverbs"; "a light eater"; "a light smoker"; "ate a light supper"

  33. light, scant(p), shortadjective

    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. lightadjective

    having little importance

    "losing his job was no light matter"

  35. lightadjective

    intended primarily as entertainment; not serious or profound

    "light verse"; "a light comedy"

  36. idle, lightadjective

    silly or trivial

    "idle pleasure"; "light banter"; "light idle chatter"

  37. lightadjective

    designed for ease of movement or to carry little weight

    "light aircraft"; "a light truck"

  38. light, lite, low-cal, calorie-freeadjective

    having relatively few calories

    "diet cola"; "light (or lite) beer"; "lite (or light) mayonnaise"; "a low-cal diet"

  39. light, wakefuladjective

    (of sleep) easily disturbed

    "in a light doze"; "a light sleeper"; "a restless wakeful night"

  40. easy, light, loose, promiscuous, sluttish, wantonverb

    casual and unrestrained in sexual behavior

    "her easy virtue"; "he was told to avoid loose (or light) women"; "wanton behavior"

  41. light, illume, illumine, light up, illuminateverb

    make lighter or brighter

    "This lamp lightens the room a bit"

  42. light up, fire up, lightverb

    begin to smoke

    "After the meal, some of the diners lit up"

  43. alight, light, perchverb

    to come to rest, settle

    "Misfortune lighted upon him"

  44. ignite, lightverb

    cause to start burning; subject to fire or great heat

    "Great heat can ignite almost any dry matter"; "Light a cigarette"

  45. fall, lightverb

    fall to somebody by assignment or lot

    "The task fell to me"; "It fell to me to notify the parents of the victims"

  46. unhorse, dismount, light, get off, get downadverb

    alight from (a horse)

  47. lightly, lightadverb

    with few burdens

    "experienced travellers travel light"

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. Lightadjective

    Etymology: leoht , Saxon.

    Hot and cold were in one body fixt,
    And soft with hard, and light with heavy mixt. Dryden.

    These weights did not exert their natural gravity till they were laid in the golden balance, insomuch that I could not guess which was light or heavy whilst I held them in my hand. Joseph Addison, Spectator, №. 463.

    Horse, oxen, plough, tumbrel, cart, waggon, and wain,
    The lighter and stronger the greater thy gaine. Thomas Tusser.

    It will be light, that you may bear it
    Under a cloke that is of any length. William Shakespeare.

    A king that would not feel his crown too heavy, must wear it every day; but if he think it too light, he knoweth not of what metal it is made. Francis Bacon, Essays.

    Every light and common thing incident into any part of man’s life. Richard Hooker, b. ii.

    Light suff’rings give us leisure to complain,
    We groan, but cannot speak, in greater pain. Dryden.

    Forgive
    If fictions light I mix with truth divine,
    And fill these lines with other praise than thine. Edward Fairfax.

    Well pleas’d were all his friends, the task was light,
    The father, mother, daughter, they invite. Dryden.

    Apples of a ripe flavour, fresh and fair,
    Mellow’d by winter from their cruder juice,
    Light of digestion now, and fit for use. John Dryden, Juvenal.

    Paulus Bachitius, with a company of light horsemen, lay close in ambush, in a convenient place for that purpose. Richard Knolles.

    He so light was at legerdemain,
    That what he touch’d came not to light again. Edmund Spenser.

    Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe. 2 Sam. ii. 18.

    There Stamford came, for his honour was lame
    Of the gout three months together;
    But it prov’d, when they fought, but a running gout,
    For heels were lighter than ever. John Denham.

    Youths, a blooming band;
    Light bounding from the earth at once they rise,
    Their feet half viewless quiver in the skies. Alexander Pope, Odys.

    Unmarried men are best masters, but not best subjects; for they are light to run away. Francis Bacon.

    A light error in the manner of making the following trials was enough to render some of them unsuccessful. Boyle.

    In the wilderness there is no bread, nor water, and our soul loatheth this light bread. Num. xxi. 5.

    Light fumes are merry, grosser fumes are sad,
    Both are the reasonable soul run mad. John Dryden, Nun’s Tale.

    False of heart, light of ear, bloody of hand. William Shakespeare.

    These light vain persons still are drunk and mad
    With surfeitings, and pleasures of their youth. Davies.

    They are light of belief, and great listeners after news. James Howell.

    There is no greater argument of a light and inconsiderate person, than prophanely to scoff at religion. John Tillotson, Serm.

    Seneca cannot be too heavy, nor Plautus too light. William Shakespeare.

    Let me not be light,
    For a light wife doth make a heavy husband. William Shakespeare.

    As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away. Gen. xliv. 3.

    The horses ran up and down with their tails and mains on a light fire. Richard Knolles.

    In painting, the light and a white colour are but one and the same thing: no colour more resembles the air than white, and by consequence no colour which is lighter. Dryden.

    Two cylindric bodies with annular sulci, found with sharks teeth, and other shells, in a light coloured clay. John Woodward.

  2. Lightadverb

    Lightly; cheaply.

    Etymology: for lightly, by colloquial corruption.

    Shall we set light by that custom of reading, from whence so precious a benefit hath grown. Richard Hooker, b. v.

  3. LIGHTnoun

    Etymology: leoht , Saxon.

    Light is propagated from luminous bodies in time, and spends about seven or eight minutes of an hour in passing from the sun to the earth. Isaac Newton, Opticks.

    Of those things which are for direction of all the parts of our life needful, and not impossible to be discerned by the light of nature itself, are there not many which few mens natural capacity hath been able to find out. Richard Hooker, b. i.

    Light may be taken from the experiment of the horsetooth ring, how that those things which assuage the strife of the spirits, do help diseases contrary to the intention desired. Francis Bacon, Natural History, №. 968.

    I will place within them as a guide
    My umpire conscience, whom if they will hear
    Light after light well us’d they shall attain,
    And to the end persisting safe arrive. John Milton, Par. Lost.

    I opened Ariosto in Italian, and the very first two lines gave me light to all I could desire. Dryden.

    If this internal light, or any proposition which we take for inspired, be conformable to the principles of reason, or to the word of God, which is attested revelation, reason warrants it. John Locke.

    The ordinary words of language, and our common use of them, would have given us light into the nature of our ideas, if considered with attention. John Locke.

    The books of Varro concerning navigation are lost, which no doubt would have given us great light in those matters. John Arbuthnot, on Coins.

    Never admit two equal lights in the same picture; but the greater light must strike forcibly on those places of the picture where the principal figures are; diminishing as it comes nearer the borders. John Dryden, Dufresnoy.

    Light, and understanding, and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him. Dan. v. 11.

    We saw as it were thick clouds, which did put us in some hope of land, knowing how that part of the South sea was utterly unknown, and might have islands or continents that hitherto were not come to light. Francis Bacon, Nat. Hist.

    They have brought to light not a few profitable experiments. Francis Bacon, Natural History.

    Frequent consideration of a thing wears off the strangeness of it; and shews it in its several lights, and various ways of appearance, to the view of the mind. South.

    It is impossible for a man of the greatest parts to consider any thing in its whole extent, and in all its variety of lights. Joseph Addison, Spectator, №. 409.

    An author who has not learned the art of ranging his thoughts, and setting them in proper lights, will lose himself in confusion. Joseph Addison, Spectator, №. 291.

    I have endeavoured, throughout this discourse, that every former part might give strength unto all that follow, and every latter bring some light unto all before. Richard Hooker, b. i.

    We should compare places of scripture treating of the same point: thus one part of the sacred text could not fail to give light unto another. John Locke, Essay on St. Paul’s Epistles.

    That light we see is burning in my hall;
    How far that little candle throws his beams,
    So shines a good deed in a naughty world. William Shakespeare.

    Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and fell down before Paul. Acts xvi. 29.

    I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, for salvation unto the ends of the earth. Acts xiii. 47.

    Let them be for signs,
    For seasons, and for days, and circling years;
    And let them be for lights, as I ordain
    Their office in the firmament of heav’n,
    To give light on the earth. John Milton, Par. Lost.

    I put as great difference between our new lights and ancient truths, as between the sun and an evanid meteor. Joseph Glanvill, Scep.

    Several lights will not be seen,
    If there be nothing else between;
    Men doubt because they stand so thick i’ th’ sky,
    If those be stars that paint the galaxy. Abraham Cowley.

    I will make some offers at their safety, by fixing some marks like lights upon a coast, by which their ships may avoid at least known rocks. William Temple.

    He still must mourn
    The sun, and moon, and ev’ry starry light,
    Eclips’d to him, and lost in everlasting night. Matthew Prior.

  4. To Lightverb

    Etymology: from light, n. s.

    Swinging coals about in the wire, throughly lighted them. Boyle.

    This truth shines so clear, that to go about to prove it, were to light a candle to seek the sun. Joseph Glanvill, Scep.

    The maids, who waited her commands,
    Ran in with lighted tapers in their hands. Dryden.

    Be witness gods, and strike Jocasta dead,
    If an immodest thought, or low desire,
    Inflam’d my breast since first our loves were lighted. John Dryden, Oedipus.

    Absence might cure it, or a second mistress
    Light up another flame, and put out this. Joseph Addison, Cato.

    A beam that falls,
    Fresh from the pure glance of thine eye,
    Lighting to eternity. Richard Crashaw.

    Ah hopeless, lasting flames! like those that burn
    To light the dead, and warm th’ unfruitful urn. Alexander Pope.

    The sun was set, and vesper to supply
    His absent beams, had lighted up the sky. Dryden.

    No sun was lighted up the world to view. John Dryden, Ovid.

    Land some of our passengers,
    And light this weary vessel of her load. Fairy Queen.

  5. To Lightverb

    Etymology: lickt, by chance, Dutch.

    No more settled in valour than disposed to justice, if either they had lighted on a better friend, or could have learned to make friendship a child, and nothe the father of virtue. Philip Sidney.

    The prince, by chance, did on a lady light,
    That was right fair, and fresh as morning rose. Fa. Qu.

    Haply, your eye shall light upon some toy
    You have desire to purchase. William Shakespeare.

    As in the tides of people once up, there want not stirring winds to make them more rough; so this people did light upon two ringleaders. Francis Bacon, Henry VIIth.

    Of late years, the royal oak did light upon count Rhodophil. James Howell, Vocal Forest.

    The way of producing such a change on colours may be easily enough lighted on, by those conversant in the solutions of mercury. Robert Boyle, on Colours.

    He sought by arguments to sooth her pain;
    Nor those avail’d: at length he lights on one,
    Before two moons their orb with light adorn,
    If heav’n allow me life, I will return. Dryden.

    Truth, light upon this way, is of no more avail to us than error; for what is so taken up by us, may be false as well as true; and he has not done his duty, who has thus stumbled upon truth in his way to preferment. John Locke.

    Whosoever first lit on a parcel of that substance we call gold, could not rationally take the bulk and figure to depend on its real essence. John Locke.

    As wily reynard walk’d the streets at night,
    On a tragedian’s mask he chanc’d to light,
    Turning it o’er, he mutter’d with disdain,
    How vast a head is here without a brain. Addison.

    A weaker man may sometimes light on notions which have escaped a wiser. Isaac Watts, Improvement of the Mind.

    When Naaman saw him running after him, he lighted down from the chariot to meet him. 2 Kings v. 21.

    I saw ’em salute on horseback,
    Beheld them when they lighted, how they clung
    In their embracement. William Shakespeare, Henry VIII.

    Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel. Gen. xxiv. 64.

    The god laid down his feeble rays,
    Then lighted from his glittering coach. Jonathan Swift.

    The wounded steed curvets; and, rais’d upright,
    Lights on his feet before: his hoofs behind
    Spring up in air aloft, and lash the wind. John Dryden, Æn.

    He at his foe with furious rigour smites,
    That strongest oak might seem to overthrow;
    The stroke upon his shield so heavy lights,
    That to the ground it doubleth him full low. Fairy Qu.

    At an uncertain lot none can find themselves grieved on whomsoever it lighteth. Richard Hooker, b. i.

    They shall hunger no more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. Rev. vii. 16.

    On me, me only, as the source and spring
    Of all corruption, all the blame lights due. John Milton, Pa. L.

    A curse lights upon him presently after: his great army is utterly ruined, he himself slain in it, and his head and right hand cut off, and hung up before Jerusalem. Robert South, Serm.

    I plac’d a quire of such enticing birds,
    That she will light to listen to their lays. William Shakespeare.

    Then as a bee which among weeds doth fall,
    Which seem sweet flow’rs, with lustre fresh and gay,
    She lights on that, and this, and tasteth all,
    But pleas’d with none, doth rise and soar away. Davis.

    Plant trees and shrubs near home, for them to pitch on at their swarming, that they may not be in danger of being lost for want of a lighting place. John Mortimer, Husbandry.

Wikipedia

  1. Light

    Light or visible light is electromagnetic radiation that can be perceived by the human eye. Visible light is usually defined as having wavelengths in the range of 400–700 nanometres (nm), corresponding to frequencies of 750–420 terahertz, between the infrared (with longer wavelengths) and the ultraviolet (with shorter wavelengths).In physics, the term "light" may refer more broadly to electromagnetic radiation of any wavelength, whether visible or not. In this sense, gamma rays, X-rays, microwaves and radio waves are also light. The primary properties of light are intensity, propagation direction, frequency or wavelength spectrum and polarization. Its speed in vacuum, 299792458 m/s, is one of the fundamental constants of nature. Like all types of electromagnetic radiation, visible light propagates by massless elementary particles called photons that represents the quanta of electromagnetic field, and can be analyzed as both waves and particles. The study of light, known as optics, is an important research area in modern physics. The main source of natural light on Earth is the Sun. Historically, another important source of light for humans has been fire, from ancient campfires to modern kerosene lamps. With the development of electric lights and power systems, electric lighting has effectively replaced firelight.

ChatGPT

  1. light

    Light refers to the form of energy that enables humans to see and perceive objects. It is a type of electromagnetic radiation characterized by its ability to travel in waves and exhibit both particle-like and wave-like properties. Light is usually emitted from a source, such as the sun, a light bulb, or a fire, and travels in straight lines until it encounters an object or a medium that can either reflect, absorb or transmit it. Due to its properties, light allows us to perceive colors, shapes, and dimensions, and plays a crucial role in our everyday lives, from vision to various technologies and scientific fields.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Lightnoun

    that agent, force, or action in nature by the operation of which upon the organs of sight, objects are rendered visible or luminous

  2. Lightnoun

    that which furnishes, or is a source of, light, as the sun, a star, a candle, a lighthouse, etc

  3. Lightnoun

    the time during which the light of the sun is visible; day; especially, the dawn of day

  4. Lightnoun

    the brightness of the eye or eyes

  5. Lightnoun

    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

  6. Lightnoun

    life; existence

  7. Lightnoun

    open view; a visible state or condition; public observation; publicity

  8. Lightnoun

    the power of perception by vision

  9. Lightnoun

    that which illumines or makes clear to the mind; mental or spiritual illumination; enlightenment; knowledge; information

  10. Lightnoun

    prosperity; happiness; joy; felicity

  11. Lightnoun

    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

  12. Lightnoun

    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

  13. Lightnoun

    one who is conspicuous or noteworthy; a model or example; as, the lights of the age or of antiquity

  14. Lightnoun

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

  15. Light

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

  16. 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

  17. Lightnoun

    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

  18. Lightnoun

    to give light to; to illuminate; to fill with light; to spread over with light; -- often with up

  19. Lightnoun

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

  20. Lightverb

    to become ignited; to take fire; as, the match will not light

  21. Lightverb

    to be illuminated; to receive light; to brighten; -- with up; as, the room lights up very well

  22. Light

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

  23. Light

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

  24. Light

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

  25. Light

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

  26. Light

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

  27. Light

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

  28. Light

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

  29. Light

    slight; not important; as, a light error

  30. Light

    well leavened; not heavy; as, light bread

  31. Light

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

  32. Light

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

  33. Light

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

  34. Light

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

  35. Light

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

  36. Light

    not quite sound or normal; somewhat impaired or deranged; dizzy; giddy

  37. Light

    easily bestowed; inconsiderately rendered

  38. Light

    wanton; unchaste; as, a woman of light character

  39. Light

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

  40. Light

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

  41. Lightadverb

    lightly; cheaply

  42. Lightverb

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

  43. Lightverb

    to dismount; to descend, as from a horse or carriage; to alight; -- with from, off, on, upon, at, in

  44. Lightverb

    to feel light; to be made happy

  45. Lightverb

    to descend from flight, and rest, perch, or settle, as a bird or insect

  46. Lightverb

    to come down suddenly and forcibly; to fall; -- with on or upon

  47. Lightverb

    to come by chance; to happen; -- with on or upon; formerly with into

  48. Etymology: [See Light not heavy, and cf. Light to alight, and Lighten to make less heavy.]

Wikidata

  1. Light

    Visible light is electromagnetic radiation that is visible to the human eye, and is responsible for the sense of sight. Visible light has a wavelength in the range of about 380 nanometres, or 380×10^−9 m, to about 740 nanometres – between the invisible infrared, with longer wavelengths and the invisible ultraviolet, with shorter wavelengths. Primary properties of visible light are intensity, propagation direction, frequency or wavelength spectrum, and polarisation, while its speed in a vacuum, 299,792,458 meters per second, is one of the fundamental constants of nature. Visible light, as with all types of electromagnetic radiation, is experimentally found to always move at this speed in vacuum. In common with all types of EMR, visible light is emitted and absorbed in tiny "packets" called photons, and exhibits properties of both waves and particles. This property is referred to as the wave–particle duality. The study of light, known as optics, is an important research area in modern physics. In physics, the term light sometimes refers to electromagnetic radiation of any wavelength, whether visible or not. This article focuses on visible light. See the electromagnetic radiation article for the general term.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary

  1. Light

    līt, n. that which shines or is brilliant: the agent by which objects are rendered visible: the power of vision: day: dawn of day: that which gives light, as the sun, a candle: the illuminated part of a picture: means of communicating fire or light: a lighthouse: (fig.) mental or spiritual illumination: enlightenment: knowledge: public view: point of view: a conspicuous person: an aperture for admitting light: (B.) prosperity, favour.—adj. not dark: bright: whitish.—v.t. to give light to: to set fire to: to attend with a light.—v.i. to become light or bright:—pr.p. light′ing; pa.t. and pa.p. light′ed or lit.—adj. Light′able.—n. Light′-ball, a composition of saltpetre, sulphur, resin, and linseed-oil formed into a ball, and used by soldiers to give light during military operations.—n.pl. Light′-dues, tolls taken from ships in certain waters, for the maintenance of lighthouses.—ns. Light′er; Light′house, a tower-like construction exhibiting a light for indicating to vessels, when nearing a port or coasting along shore, the proximity of rocks, shoals, and other dangers; Light′house-man, Light′-keep′er, the keeper of a lighthouse.—adj. Light′less.—ns. Light′ness; Light′-room, in a man-of-war, a small room separated from the magazine by thick glass windows, and used to illuminate it: the room in a lighthouse containing the lighting apparatus; Light′-ship, a stationary ship carrying a light and serving the purpose of a lighthouse in very deep waters.—adj. Light′some, full of light.—n. Light′wave, a wave of the luminous ether.—Light of nature, intellectual perception or intuition: (theol.) man's capacity of discovering truth unaided by revelation.—Between the lights, in the twilight; Between two lights, under cover of darkness; Bring to light, to reveal; Children of light, Christians as under the illumination of the Divine light, that illumination which comes directly from God; Come to light, to be revealed; Fixed light, in lighthouses, a light which is maintained steadily without change, as opposed to a revolving light; Floating light, a light displayed at the mast-head of a lightship to show dangers to navigation; Foot, Ground, lights, a row of lights used on a stage to light up the base of a scene; Inner light, spiritual illumination, light divinely imparted; Northern lights, aurora borealis; See the light, to come into view; Stand in one's own light, to hinder one's own advantage. [A.S. leóht; Ger. licht.]

  2. Light

    līt, adj. not heavy: of short weight: easily suffered or performed: easily digested: not heavily armed: active: not heavily burdened: unimportant: not dense or copious or intense: gentle: gay, lively: amusing: unchaste: loose, sandy: giddy, delirious: idle, worthless.—vs.t. Light, Light′en, to make less heavy: to alleviate, cheer.—advs. Light, Light′ly (Shak.), commonly, usually.—adj. Light′-armed, armed in a manner suitable for active service.—ns. Light′er, a large open boat used in unloading and loading ships; Light′erage, price paid for unloading ships by lighters: the act of thus unloading; Light′erman.—adjs. Light′-fing′ered, light or active with one's fingers: thievish; Light′-foot, -ed, nimble, active; Light′ful (rare), cheery, happy; Light′-hand′ed, with light or dexterous touch: having little in the hand: empty-handed: insufficiently manned; Light′-head′ed, giddy in the head: delirious: thoughtless: unsteady.—n. Light′-head′edness.—adj. Light′-heart′ed, light or merry of heart: free from anxiety: cheerful.—adv. Light′-heart′edly.—n. Light′-heart′edness.—adj. Light′-heeled, swift of foot.—ns. Light′-horse, light-armed cavalry; Light′-horse′man; Light′-in′fantry, infantry lightly or not heavily armed.—adjs. Light′-legged, swift of foot; Light′-mind′ed, having a light or unsteady mind: not considerate.—ns. Light′-mind′edness; Light′ness (Shak.), light-headedness; Light′ning (Shak.), an exhilaration of the spirits; Light′-o'-love, a capricious and wanton woman: an old dance tune.—n.pl. Lights, the lungs.—adj. Light′some, light, gay, lively, cheering.—n. Light′someness.—adj. Light′-spir′ited, having a cheerful spirit.—n. Light′-weight, in sporting and especially boxing, a man or animal of a certain weight prescribed by the rules, intermediate between the middle-weight and the feather-weight: a person of little importance.—adj. Light′-winged, having light wings: volatile.—Make light of, to treat as of little consequence. [A.S. leóht; Ger. leicht, Ice. léttr; L. lĕvis.]

  3. Light

    līt, v.i. (with on, upon) to stoop from flight: to settle: to rest: to come by chance: (with down, from) to descend, to alight:—pr.p. light′ing; pa.t. and pa.p. light′ed or lit.—v.i. Light′en upon′ (Pr. Bk.), to alight or descend upon. [A.S. líhtan, to dismount, lit. 'make light,' relieve of a burden.]

U.S. National Library of Medicine

  1. Light

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

Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms

  1. Light

    120mm and less.

Editors Contribution

  1. lightnoun

    1.)The lithium goddess presented in gigahertz. 2.) The natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible. 3.) A source of illumination, like an electric lamp. 4.) Is a Brides groom Bridesmaid.

    The children will forever remain as the light of the world in God eyes.

    Etymology: Woman


    Submitted by Tehorah_Elyon on October 11, 2023  

  2. light

    A form of energy with a visible color and frequency

    Light has a color, and frequency which can all be measured.


    Submitted by MaryC on December 27, 2016  

  3. lightverb

    To ignite or cause to ignite or start burning.

    We lit the candles on her birthday cake.


    Submitted by zakaria1409 on July 8, 2022  

  4. light

    To provide light.

    The light source for the room was through a bulb.


    Submitted by MaryC on March 20, 2020  

Suggested Resources

  1. light

    Song lyrics by light -- Explore a large variety of song lyrics performed by light on the Lyrics.com website.

  2. Light

    Light vs. Lite -- In this Grammar.com article you will learn the differences between the words Light and Lite.

Etymology and Origins

  1. Light

    A journeyman printer’s term for “credit.” Derived from the old saying: “He stands in a good light with his neighbours.” The boast: “My light is good,” has about it little to find fault with.

Surnames Frequency by Census Records

  1. LIGHT

    According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Light is ranked #2164 in terms of the most common surnames in America.

    The Light surname appeared 16,769 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 6 would have the surname Light.

    91.5% or 15,359 total occurrences were White.
    2.7% or 465 total occurrences were Black.
    2.4% or 409 total occurrences were of Hispanic origin.
    1.4% or 241 total occurrences were of two or more races.
    0.9% or 163 total occurrences were Asian.
    0.8% or 134 total occurrences were American Indian or Alaskan Native.

Matched Categories

British National Corpus

  1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'light' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #668

  2. Written Corpus Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'light' in Written Corpus Frequency: #886

  3. Nouns Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'light' in Nouns Frequency: #194

  4. Verbs Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'light' in Verbs Frequency: #510

  5. Adjectives Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'light' in Adjectives Frequency: #172

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

How to pronounce light?

How to say light in sign language?

Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of light in Chaldean Numerology is: 7

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of light in Pythagorean Numerology is: 2

Examples of light in a Sentence

  1. Johnita Due:

    We knew it was important to our country and important to our audiences to shed light on the meaning and significance of Juneteenth, and not only as an historic event but really as a way to engage and educate people about what still needs to happen for all of us to achieve freedom and justice.

  2. Council of Europe:

    The constitutional amendments, and especially their practical implementation, will be assessed in light of Turkey's obligations as a European Union candidate country. in view of the close result the Turkish leadership should consider the next steps carefully.

  3. Tony Fernandes:

    We see a great end to the year and a light at the end of the tunnel for the Malaysian operations after a series of headwinds that affected our operations.

  4. Markus Huber:

    Overall sentiment remains positive, however trading action is clearly pointing towards a slowdown in momentum, in light of stocks being overbought in the short term, markets taking a breather and entering a consolidation pattern would certainly be in order and actually by many considered as healthy and necessary. In order for traders to up their risk exposure further, more good news besides China will be needed.

  5. Liz Armbruster:

    I brought children into this dark world because it needed the light that only a child can bring.

more sentences »

Popularity rank by frequency of use

light#1#613#10000

References

Translations for light

From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary

Get even more translations for light »

Translation

Find a translation for the light definition in other languages:

Select another language:

  • - Select -
  • 简体中文 (Chinese - Simplified)
  • 繁體中文 (Chinese - Traditional)
  • Español (Spanish)
  • Esperanto (Esperanto)
  • 日本語 (Japanese)
  • Português (Portuguese)
  • Deutsch (German)
  • العربية (Arabic)
  • Français (French)
  • Русский (Russian)
  • ಕನ್ನಡ (Kannada)
  • 한국어 (Korean)
  • עברית (Hebrew)
  • Gaeilge (Irish)
  • Українська (Ukrainian)
  • اردو (Urdu)
  • Magyar (Hungarian)
  • मानक हिन्दी (Hindi)
  • Indonesia (Indonesian)
  • Italiano (Italian)
  • தமிழ் (Tamil)
  • Türkçe (Turkish)
  • తెలుగు (Telugu)
  • ภาษาไทย (Thai)
  • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
  • Čeština (Czech)
  • Polski (Polish)
  • Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian)
  • Românește (Romanian)
  • Nederlands (Dutch)
  • Ελληνικά (Greek)
  • Latinum (Latin)
  • Svenska (Swedish)
  • Dansk (Danish)
  • Suomi (Finnish)
  • فارسی (Persian)
  • ייִדיש (Yiddish)
  • հայերեն (Armenian)
  • Norsk (Norwegian)
  • English (English)

Word of the Day

Would you like us to send you a FREE new word definition delivered to your inbox daily?

Please enter your email address:

Citation

Use the citation below to add this definition to your bibliography:

Style:MLAChicagoAPA

"light." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 12 Feb. 2025. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/light>.

Powered by CITE.ME Cite.Me

Discuss these light definitions with the community:

0 Comments

    Are we missing a good definition for light? Don't keep it to yourself...

    Image or illustration of

    light

    Credit »

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant definitions for any word that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant definitions for any word that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Browse Definitions.net

    #ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ 

    Quiz

    Are you a words master?

    »
    valuable goods
    A swag
    B ventricle
    C epiphora
    D liniment

    Nearby & related entries:

    Alternative searches for light: