light

adjective

UK /laɪt/

Word Forms

adjective	light
comparative	lighter
superlative	lightest

1
very bright because of light from the sun
The room is light and airy.
Synonyms and related words
Bright and shiny
bright
shiny
brilliant
1. 1a
  if it is light, you can see because it is day and not night
  I want to get home while it’s still light.
  it gets light (=it becomes light enough to see):
  It gets light around 5 am.
  Synonyms and related words
  Happening in the morning or daytime
  in the morning
  bright and early
  first thing (in the morning)
2
pale in colour, not dark
a light blue shirt
Synonyms and related words
General words used to describe colours
ablaze
a riot of something
bleached
3
not weighing much, or weighing less than you expect
The table is a lot lighter than it looks.
as light as a feather (=extremely light):
The younger children are as light as a feather.
Synonyms and related words
Weight and describing weight
counterpoise
counterpoise
counterweight
1. 3a
  less than the correct weight
  This bag of apples feels a little light.
  Synonyms and related words
  Weight and describing weight
  counterpoise
  counterpoise
  counterweight
2. 3b
  light clothes are made of thin cloth and are not very warm
  a light summer jacket
  Synonyms and related words
  Words used to describe clothes
  A-line
  backless
  baggy
4
not much in quantity
Traffic was fairly light as we left the city.
a light frost
Synonyms and related words
Words used to describe small amounts and quantities
little
few
slight
1. 4a
  a light eater is someone who does not eat much food
  Synonyms and related words
  Words used to describe someone’s appetite
  faddy
  full
  gluttonous
2. 4b
  a light meal is small and easy to eat
  light snacks/refreshments
  Synonyms and related words
  Words used to describe meals
  al desko
  alfresco
  celebratory
5
a light punishment is not very severe
a light prison sentence
Synonyms and related words
Words used to describe punishments
carry
commutable
disciplinary
1. 5a
  light work or exercise is not very difficult and does not need a lot of strength or effort
  Synonyms and related words
  Physical exercise and exercises
  aerobic
  aerobics
  aquarobics
6
a light wind is not very strong
a light breeze
Synonyms and related words
Describing and measuring the wind
the Beaufort scale
biting
cutting
1. 6a
  a light touch is very gentle
  a light kiss on the head
  Synonyms and related words
  Without pain or feeling
  painless
  numb
  insensitive
2. 6b
  a light sound is very quiet
  She heard a light knock at the window.
  Synonyms and related words
  Describing sounds that are quiet and/or soft
  quiet
  soft
  muffled
7
enjoyable and not very serious
a little light reading
Synonyms and related words
Pleasant, enjoyable and relaxing
pleasant
enjoyable
relaxing
8
food or drink that is light has less fat or alcohol than other similar food or drink. This word is sometimes spelt lite on food labels
light beer/cream cheese
Synonyms and related words
Words used to describe drinks
alcoholic
black
carbonated
Synonyms and related words
Words used to describe the state or consistency of food
buttery
calorific
caramelised
1. 8a
  used about foods and drinks that do not have a strong taste
  Muscadet is a light fresh wine.
  Synonyms and related words
  Tasting bad or lacking flavour
  stale
  nasty
  rancid
2. 8b
  a cake that is light tastes nice because it has a lot of air in it
  Synonyms and related words
  Tasting good
  tasty
  edible
  appetizing
9
a light sleep is one in which you wake up often. Someone who often wakes up while they are sleeping is called a light sleeper.
Synonyms and related words
Sleepers and describing sleep
broken
deep
dreamless
10
light soil is easy to break into pieces
Synonyms and related words
Words used to describe soil and soil quality
alluvial
boggy
chalky
11
as light as a feather
very light
My bag is as light as a feather.
Submitted by:
Emran Khoshrouye Ghiasi from Iran, Islamic Republic of on 26/08/2018
Open Dictionary - August2018

phrases

light on your feet

make light of something

make light work of (doing) something

on a lighter note

light

adjective

US /laɪt/

Word Forms

adjective	light
comparative	lighter
superlative	lightest

1
very bright because of light from the sun
The room is light and airy.
Synonyms and related words
Bright and shiny
bright
shiny
brilliant
1. 1a
  if it is light, you can see because it is day and not night
  I want to get home while it’s still light.
  it gets light (=it becomes light enough to see):
  It gets light around 5 a.m.
  Synonyms and related words
  Happening in the morning or daytime
  in the morning
  bright and early
  first thing (in the morning)
2
pale in color, not dark
a light blue shirt
Synonyms and related words
General words used to describe colors
ablaze
a riot of something
bleached
3
not weighing much, or weighing less than you expect
The table is a lot lighter than it looks.
as light as a feather (=extremely light):
The younger children are as light as a feather.
Synonyms and related words
Weight and describing weight
counterpoise
counterpoise
counterweight
1. 3a
  less than the correct weight
  This bag of apples feels a little light.
  Synonyms and related words
  Weight and describing weight
  counterpoise
  counterpoise
  counterweight
2. 3b
  light clothes are made of thin cloth and are not very warm
  a light summer jacket
  Synonyms and related words
  Words used to describe clothes
  A-line
  backless
  baggy
4
not much in quantity
Traffic was fairly light as we left the city.
a light frost
Synonyms and related words
Words used to describe small amounts and quantities
little
few
slight
1. 4a
  a light meal is small and easy to eat
  light snacks/refreshments
  Synonyms and related words
  Words used to describe meals
  al desko
  alfresco
  celebratory
2. 4b
  a light eater is someone who does not eat much food
  Synonyms and related words
  Words used to describe someone’s appetite
  faddy
  full
  gluttonous
5
a light punishment is not very severe
a light prison sentence
Synonyms and related words
Words used to describe punishments
carry
disciplinary
exemplary
1. 5a
  light work or exercise is not very difficult and does not need a lot of strength or effort
  Synonyms and related words
  Physical exercise and exercises
  aerobic
  aerobics
  aquarobics
6
a light wind is not very strong
a light breeze
Synonyms and related words
Describing and measuring the wind
the Beaufort scale
biting
cutting
1. 6a
  a light touch is very gentle
  a light kiss on the head
  Synonyms and related words
  Without pain or feeling
  painless
  numb
  insensitive
2. 6b
  a light sound is very quiet
  She heard a light knock at the window.
  Synonyms and related words
  Describing sounds that are quiet and/or soft
  quiet
  soft
  muffled
7
enjoyable and not very serious
a little light reading
Synonyms and related words
Pleasant, enjoyable and relaxing
pleasant
enjoyable
relaxing
8
food or drink that is light has less fat or alcohol than other similar food or drink. This word is sometimes spelled lite on food labels
light beer/cream cheese
Synonyms and related words
Words used to describe drinks
alcoholic
black
carbonated
Synonyms and related words
Words used to describe the state or consistency of food
buttery
calorific
caramelized
1. 8a
  used about foods and drinks that do not have a strong taste
  Muscadet is a light fresh wine.
  Synonyms and related words
  Tasting bad or lacking flavor
  stale
  nasty
  rancid
2. 8b
  a cake that is light tastes nice because it has a lot of air in it
  Synonyms and related words
  Tasting good
  tasty
  edible
  appetizing
9
a light sleep is one in which you wake up often. Someone who often wakes up while they are sleeping is called a light sleeper.
Synonyms and related words
Sleepers and describing sleep
broken
deep
dreamless
10
light soil is easy to break into pieces
Synonyms and related words
Words used to describe soil and soil quality
alluvial
boggy
chalky
11
as light as a feather
very light
My bag is as light as a feather.
Submitted by:
Emran Khoshrouye Ghiasi from Iran, Islamic Republic of on 26/08/2018
Open Dictionary - August2018

phrases

light on your feet

make light of something

make light work of (doing) something

on a lighter note

light

adverb

UK /laɪt/

Word Forms

comparative	lighter
superlative	lightest

light

adverb

US /laɪt/

Word Forms

comparative	lighter
superlative	lightest

light

noun

UK /laɪt/

Word Forms

singular	light
plural	lights

1
uncountable brightness from the sun or from a light, which allows you to see things
The room gets a lot of light in the afternoons.
light shines:
Light from the street lamps was shining through a gap in the curtains.
a beam/flash/shaft/ray of light:
The clouds parted and a single beam of light fell on the church.
by the light of something (=using the light from something):
The house could be clearly seen by the light of the moon.
be/stand in someone’s light (=to prevent someone from seeing something by standing between them and a light):
It’s harder when you keep standing in my light.
Synonyms and related words
General words for light and brightness
light
flash
gleam
1. 1a
  singular/uncountable a particular type of brightness
  the grey light of dawn
  The lamp produces a very warm soft light.
  Synonyms and related words
  General words for light and brightness
  light
  flash
  gleam
2. 1b
  
  the light
  brightness from the sun during the day
  The light started to fade so we had to stop playing.
  Synonyms and related words
  Specific types of light
  candlelight
  daylight
  gaslight
2
countable a piece of electrical equipment that produces brightness
I could see a light in the window of the farmhouse.
turn on/switch on/put on a light:
Could somebody put the light on?
turn off/switch off/put off a light:
I turned the lights off and shut the door.
a light comes on:
Lights were coming on in the street.
a light goes off/out:
The light flickered and went out.
a warning/security light:
A red warning light comes on when the brake fluid is low.
Synonyms and related words
Types of electric light
Anglepoise
downlighter
fairy lights
1. 2a
  one of the lights on a car or other vehicle
  You’ve left your lights on.
  Synonyms and related words
  The lights on a car or other road vehicle
  blinkers
  brake light
  brights
2. 2b
  one of a set of traffic lights
  I nearly drove through a red light.
  the lights:
  Turn left at the lights.
  Synonyms and related words
  Road and traffic signals and crossings
  advanced green
  Belisha beacon
  box junction
3
singular something used for lighting a cigarette
Have you got a light?
Synonyms and related words
Tobacco, cigarettes, cigars and pipes
baccy
bidi
bong
4
have your name (up) in lights
to be a famous or successful performer
David had always dreamt of having his name in lights.
Submitted by:
Emran Khoshrouye Ghiasi from Iran, Islamic Republic of on 22/10/2018
Open Dictionary - October2018

phrases

bring something to light

catch the light

go out like a light

in a bad/new/different etc light

in (the) light of something

light at the end of the tunnel

(the) light dawns

a light in someone’s eyes

the light of someone’s life

the lights are on but no one’s home

punch/put someone’s lights out

see the light of day

set light to something

throw/shed/cast light on something

light

noun

US /laɪt/

Word Forms

singular	light
plural	lights

1
uncountable brightness from the sun or from a light, which allows you to see things
The room gets a lot of light in the afternoons.
light shines:
Light from the street lamps was shining through a gap in the curtains.
a beam/flash/shaft/ray of light:
The clouds parted and a single beam of light fell on the church.
by the light of something (=using the light from something):
The house could be clearly seen by the light of the moon.
be/stand in someone’s light (=to prevent someone from seeing something by standing between them and a light):
It’s harder when you keep standing in my light.
Synonyms and related words
General words for light and brightness
light
flash
gleam
1. 1a
  singular/uncountable a particular type of brightness
  the gray light of dawn
  The lamp produces a very warm soft light.
  Synonyms and related words
  General words for light and brightness
  light
  flash
  gleam
2. 1b
  
  the light
  brightness from the sun during the day
  The light started to fade so we had to stop playing.
  Synonyms and related words
  Specific types of light
  candlelight
  daylight
  gaslight
2
countable a piece of electrical equipment that produces brightness
I could see a light in the window of the farmhouse.
turn on/switch on/put on a light:
Could somebody put the light on?
turn off/switch off/put off a light:
I turned the lights off and shut the door.
a light comes on:
Lights were coming on in the street.
a light goes off/out:
The light flickered and went out.
a warning/security light:
A red warning light comes on when the brake fluid is low.
Synonyms and related words
Types of electric light
fairy lights
flashlight
floodlight
1. 2a
  one of the lights on a car or other vehicle
  You’ve left your lights on.
  Synonyms and related words
  The lights on a car or other road vehicle
  backup light
  blinkers
  brake light
2. 2b
  one of a set of traffic lights
  I nearly drove through a red light.
  Turn left at the lights.
  Synonyms and related words
  Road and traffic signals and crossings
  advanced green
  circus
  cone
3
singular something used for lighting a cigarette
Do you have a light?
Synonyms and related words
Tobacco, cigarettes, cigars and pipes
bong
briar
butt
4
have your name (up) in lights
to be a famous or successful performer
David had always dreamt of having his name in lights.
Submitted by:
Emran Khoshrouye Ghiasi from Iran, Islamic Republic of on 22/10/2018
Open Dictionary - October2018

phrases

bring something to light

catch the light

go out like a light

in a bad/new/different etc. light

in light of something

light at the end of the tunnel

(the) light dawns

a light in someone’s eyes

the light of someone’s life

the lights are on but no one’s home

punch someone’s lights out

see the light of day

set light to something

throw/shed/cast light on something

light

verb

UK /laɪt/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	light
he/she/it	lights
present participle	lighting
past tense	lit
past participle	lit

1
transitive to make something start to burn
Amy lit a cigarette.
Synonyms and related words
To burn, or to start a fire
burn
light
blaze
1. 1a
  intransitive to start to burn
  The fire won’t light if the wood is wet.
  Synonyms and related words
  To burn, or to start a fire
  burn
  light
  blaze
2

light
or
light up
transitive often passiveto make a place brighter by giving it light
light by:
The room was lit by candlelight.
dimly/badly/brightly lit:
The room was dimly lit.
Synonyms and related words
To shine, glow or give off light
shine
glow
flash
3
transitive if you light someone’s way, you use a light to lead them through a dark place
Synonyms and related words
To shine, glow or give off light
shine
glow
flash
4
lit up like a Christmas tree
very brightly lit
The cruise ship was lit up like a Christmas tree.
Submitted by:
Ismail from Russian Federation on 30/01/2018
Open Dictionary - January2018
5
lit up like a Christmas tree
wearing clothes that are too bright or colourful for the occasionSubmitted by:
Ismail from Russian Federation on 30/01/2018
Open Dictionary - January2018

phrases

light a fire under someone

phrasal verbs

light on

light up

light

verb

US /laɪt/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	light
he/she/it	lights
present participle	lighting
past tense	lit
past participle	lit

1
transitive to make something start to burn
Amy lit a cigarette.
Synonyms and related words
To burn, or to start a fire
burn
light
blaze
1. 1a
  intransitive to start to burn
  The fire won’t light if the wood is wet.
  Synonyms and related words
  To burn, or to start a fire
  burn
  light
  blaze
2

light
or
light up
transitive often passiveto make a place brighter by giving it more light
light by:
The room was lit by candlelight.
dimly/badly/brightly lit:
The room was dimly lit.
Synonyms and related words
To shine, glow or give off light
shine
glow
flash
3
transitive if you light someone’s way, you use a light to lead them through a dark place
Synonyms and related words
To shine, glow or give off light
shine
glow
flash
4
lit up like a Christmas tree
very brightly lit
The cruise ship was lit up like a Christmas tree.
Submitted by:
Ismail from Russian Federation on 30/01/2018
Open Dictionary - January2018
5
lit up like a Christmas tree
wearing clothes that are too bright or colourful for the occasionSubmitted by:
Ismail from Russian Federation on 30/01/2018
Open Dictionary - January2018

phrases

light a fire under someone

phrasal verbs

light into

light on

light up

light

as light as a feather

light

as light as a feather

light

travel light

light

travel light

light

the light

have your name (up) in lights

light

the light

have your name (up) in lights

light

light

light up

lit up like a Christmas tree

lit up like a Christmas tree

light

light

light up

lit up like a Christmas tree

lit up like a Christmas tree

light ​‌‌‌

as light as a feather

light ​‌‌‌

as light as a feather

light

travel light

light

travel light

light ​‌‌‌

the light

have your name (up) in lights

light ​‌‌‌

the light

have your name (up) in lights

light ​‌‌‌

light

light up

lit up like a Christmas tree

lit up like a Christmas tree

light ​‌‌‌

light

light up

lit up like a Christmas tree

lit up like a Christmas tree

light

light

light

light

light

light