light
/laɪt/The natural power that makes things visible. It comes from the sun, lamps, or other sources. It is also the state of not being dark.
- Turn on the light, please.
- The room has plenty of light.
- We could see in the morning light.
Having little weight, or not heavy. It can also mean pale in color, soft in feeling, or not strong in amount.
- This bag is very light.
- She wore a light blue shirt.
- I want a light lunch today.
To start burning, or to make something start burning. It can also mean to turn on a lamp or other light source.
- He lit the candle.
- Please light the hall lamp.
- The match would not light.
Adinary Nuance
Light is a very broad word, so nearby words cover different parts of its meaning. Use bright for strong light, weightless for having no weight, and soft or mild for gentle force or taste. In writing, light is often the simplest and most natural choice when the meaning is clear from context.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- ánh sáng
- Spanish
- luz
- Chinese
- 光
- Japanese
- 光
- Korean
- 빛
Etymology
Old English light, leoht came from Proto-Germanic. It has been used in English since early times for brightness and what is not heavy.
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between light and bright?
- Light is the noun or adjective for illumination, or for something not heavy. Bright means giving off a lot of light, or looking vivid and cheerful.
- Is light a noun, adjective, or verb?
- It is all three. The meaning changes with the sentence and the context.
- What does a light meal mean?
- It means a small meal, or one that is easy to digest.