Meaning of light in English | Powered by Free Dictionary API

noun

• Visible electromagnetic radiation. The human eye can typically detect radiation (light) in the wavelength range of about 400 to 750 nanometers. Nearby shorter and longer wavelength ranges, although not visible, are commonly called ultraviolet and infrared light.

  Example: As you can see, this spacious dining-room gets a lot of light in the mornings.

• A source of illumination.

  Example: Put that light out!

• Spiritual or mental illumination; enlightenment, useful information.

  Example: Can you throw any light on this problem?

• (in the plural) Facts; pieces of information; ideas, concepts.

• A notable person within a specific field or discipline.

  Example: Picasso was one of the leading lights of the cubist movement.

• The manner in which the light strikes 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.

• A point of view, or aspect from which a concept, person or thing is regarded.

  Example: I'm really seeing you in a different light today.

• A flame or something used to create fire.

  Example: Hey, buddy, you got a light?

• A firework made by filling a case with a substance which burns brilliantly with a white or coloured flame.

  Example: a Bengal light

• A window, or space for a window in architecture.

  Example: This facade has eight south-facing lights.

• The series of squares reserved for the answer to a crossword clue.

  Example: The average length of a light on a 15×15 grid is 7 or 8.

• A cross-light in a double acrostic or triple acrostic.

• Open view; a visible state or condition; public observation; publicity.

• The power of perception by vision.

• The brightness of the eye or eyes.

• A traffic light, or, by extension, an intersection controlled by one or more that will face a traveler who is receiving instructions.

  Example: To get to our house, turn right at the third light.

verb

• To start (a fire).

  Example: We lit the fire to get some heat.

• To set fire to; to set burning.

  Example: She lit her last match.

• To illuminate; to provide light for when it is dark.

  Example: I used my torch to light the way home through the woods in the night.

• To become ignited; to take fire.

  Example: This soggy match will not light.

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

• To make (a bonus) available to be collected by hitting a target, and thus light up the feature light corresponding to that bonus to indicate its availability.

  Example: Light the extra ball by amassing 500 million points in the wizard mode.

adjective

• Having light; bright; clear; not dark or obscure.

  Example: The room is light when the Sun shines through the window.

• Pale or whitish in color; highly luminous and more or less deficient in chroma.

  Example: She had light skin.

• (of coffee) Served with extra milk or cream.

  Example: I like my coffee light.

noun

• A stone that is not thrown hard enough.

• See lights.

verb

• To unload a ship, or to jettison material to make it lighter

• To lighten; to ease of a burden; to take off.

adjective

• Having little or relatively little actual weight; not cumbrous or unwieldy.

  Example: a light load ; a lighter backpack after having removed the books ; light weapons

• Having little weight as compared with bulk; of little density or specific gravity.

  Example: feathers and cork are light ; oil is lighter than water

• Of short or insufficient weight; weighing less than the legal, standard or proper amount; clipped or diminished.

  Example: to issue light coin

• Lacking that which burdens or makes heavy.

• Not heavy or soggy; spongy; well raised.

  Example: a light bread ; sponge cake is a light cake

• Gentle; having little force or momentum.

  Example: This artist clearly had a light, flowing touch.

• Easy to endure or perform.

  Example: light duties around the house

• Low in fat, calories, alcohol, salt, etc.

  Example: This light beer still gets you drunk if you have enough of it.

• Unimportant, trivial, having little value or significance.

  Example: I made some light comment, and we moved on.

• Unchaste, wanton.

• Not encumbered; unembarrassed; clear of impediments; hence, active; nimble; swift.

• Easily influenced by trifling considerations; unsteady; unsettled; volatile.

  Example: a light, vain person; a light mind

• Indulging in, or inclined to, levity; lacking dignity or solemnity; frivolous; airy.

  Example: Ogden Nash was a writer of light verse.

• Not quite sound or normal; somewhat impaired or deranged; dizzy; giddy.

• Easily interrupted by stimulation.

  Example: light sleep; light anesthesia

adverb

• Carrying little.

  Example: I prefer to travel light.

verb

• To find by chance.

  Example: I lit upon a rare book in a second-hand bookseller's.

• To stop upon (of eyes or a glance); to notice

• To alight; to land or come down.

  Example: She fell out of the window but luckily lit on her feet.