lighter
1 of 3noun (1)
ligh·ter ˈlī-tər 
: a large usually flat-bottomed barge used especially in unloading or loading ships
lighter
2 of 3verb
lightered; lightering; lighters
transitive verb
: to convey by a lighter
lighter
3 of 3noun (2)
light·er ˈlī-tər
1
: one that lights or sets a fire
2
: a device for lighting a fire
especially : a mechanical or electrical device used for lighting cigarettes, cigars, or pipes
Word History
Etymology
Noun (1)
Middle English, from Middle Dutch *lichter, from lichten to unload; akin to Old English lēoht light in weight
First Known Use
Noun (1)
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Verb
1677, in the meaning defined above
Noun (2)
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing lighter
lighters
noun
as in barges
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- barges
- cutters
- hoys
- lifeboats
- tugboats
- longboats
- tugs
- yawls
- keels
- bumboats
- towboats
- motorboats
- keelboats
- narrow boats
- auxiliaries
- ferries
- outboards
- canoes
- powerboats
- tender
- taxis
- ferryboats
- whalers
- riverboats
- jolly boats
- whaleboats
- dories
- rowboats
- cobles
- cruisers
- seiners
- taxies
- hookers
- luggers
- rafts
- inboards
- bankers
- dhows
- houseboats
- scows
- water taxis
- prams
- sampans
- pontoons
- skiffs
- gondolas
- kayaks
- dugouts
- sculls
- flatboats
- yachts
- pinnaces
- wherries
- pirogues
- schooners
- bateaux
- dinghies
- trawlers
- draggers
- launches
- workboats
- outriggers
- gillnetters
- coracles
- sailboats
- scallopers
- ketches
- gigs
- batteaux
- catamarans
- shrimpers
- surfboats
- shallops
- shells
- paddleboats
- punts
- umiaks
- curraghs
- dinks
- currachs
- johnboats
- piraguas
- caïques
- rowing boats
- garveys
- catboats
- tubs
- cockleshells
