adj · adv · name · noun · verb · 116 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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līt
/laɪt/
Received-Pronunciation:[laɪt]
British, Southern, Standard:[lɑjt]
General-American:[ɫɐɪt]
Canada, US, regional:[ləjt]
Australian:[lɑɪt]
UK:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
rhymes with -aɪt
homophone: lite
CMU ARPABET:L AY1 T
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adj
Meaning 1
Having light; bright; clear; not dark or obscure.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
The room is light when the Sun shines through the window.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
adj
Meaning 2
Pale or whitish in color; highly luminous and more or less deficient in chroma.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
She had light skin.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
adj
Meaning 3
Served with extra milk or cream.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
I like my coffee light.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
adj
Meaning 4
Having little or relatively little actual weight; not heavy; not cumbrous or unwieldy.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
a light load ; a lighter backpack after having removed the books ; light weapons
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
adj
Meaning 5
Having little weight as compared with bulk; of little density or specific gravity.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
feathers and cork are light ; oil is lighter than water
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
6
adj
Meaning 6
Of short or insufficient weight; weighing less than the legal, standard, or proper amount; clipped or diminished.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
to issue light coin
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
7
adj
Meaning 7
Lacking that which burdens or makes heavy.
Free from burden or impediment; unencumbered.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
8
adj
Meaning 8
Lacking that which burdens or makes heavy.
Lightly built; typically designed for speed or small loads.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
a light aircraft ; a light tank
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
9
adj
Meaning 9
Lacking that which burdens or makes heavy.
Not heavily armed; armed with light weapons.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: government, military, politics, war
Examples
light infantry; a troop of light horse
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
10
adj
Meaning 10
Lacking that which burdens or makes heavy.
Riding high because of no cargo; by extension, pertaining to a ship which is light.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: nautical, transport
Examples
if a ship is light or partially loaded ; the light draft of a vessel, or its light displacement
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
11
adj
Meaning 11
Lacking that which burdens or makes heavy.
Without any piece of equipment attached or attached only to a caboose.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: rail-transport, railways, transport
Examples
the light locomotives ; a locomotive may be moved light
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
12
adj
Meaning 12
Lacking that which burdens or makes heavy.
With low viscosity.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
13
adj
Meaning 13
Not heavy or soggy; spongy; well raised.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: cooking, food, lifestyle
Examples
a light bread ; sponge cake is a light cake
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
14
adj
Meaning 14
Low in fat, calories, alcohol, salt, etc.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
This light beer still gets you drunk if you have enough of it.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
15
adj
Meaning 15
Slight, not forceful or intense; small in amount or intensity.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
a light drizzle//a light rain was falling//a light snow set in
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
16
adj
Meaning 16
Gentle; having little force or momentum.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
This artist clearly had a light, flowing touch.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
17
adj
Meaning 17
Easy to endure or perform.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
light duties around the house
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
18
adj
Meaning 18
Unimportant, trivial, having little value or significance.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
I made some light comment, and we moved on.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
19
adj
Meaning 19
Unchaste, wanton.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: obsolete
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
20
adj
Meaning 20
Not encumbered; unembarrassed; clear of impediments; hence, active; nimble; swift.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
21
adj
Meaning 21
Fast; nimble.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
22
adj
Meaning 22
Easily influenced by trifling considerations; unsteady; unsettled; volatile.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: dated
Examples
a light, vain person; a light mind
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
23
adj
Meaning 23
Indulging in, or inclined to, levity; lacking dignity or solemnity; frivolous; airy.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
Ogden Nash was a writer of light verse.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
24
adj
Meaning 24
Not quite sound or normal; somewhat impaired or deranged; dizzy; giddy.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
25
adj
Meaning 25
Easily interrupted by stimulation.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
light sleep; light anesthesia
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
26
adj
Meaning 26
Cheerful.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
27
adv
Meaning 27
Carrying little.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
I prefer to travel light.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
28
name
Meaning 28
A surname.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
29
name
Meaning 29
A place name:
An unincorporated community in Greene County, Arkansas, United States.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
30
name
Meaning 30
A place name:
An unincorporated community in Maries County, Missouri, United States.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
31
name
Meaning 31
A place name:
A local government area north of Adelaide, South Australia, named after the River Light; in full, Light Regional Council.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
32
name
Meaning 32
A place name:
A river in the Mid North region, South Australia, named after William Light; in full, the River Light.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
33
name
Meaning 33
The 24th sura (chapter) of the Qur'an.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: Islam, lifestyle, religion
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
34
noun
Meaning 34
Electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range visible to the human eye (about 400–750 nanometers): visible light.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
As you can see, this spacious dining-room gets a lot of light in the mornings.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
35
noun
Meaning 35
Electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range visible to the human eye or in nearby ranges (infrared or ultraviolet radiation).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: broadly, countable, uncountable
Examples
black light
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
36
noun
Meaning 36
Electromagnetic radiation of any wavelength.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: broadly, countable, uncommon, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
37
noun
Meaning 37
A source of illumination.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable
Examples
Put that light out!
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
38
noun
Meaning 38
A source of illumination.
A lightbulb or similar light-emitting device, regardless of whether it is lit.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
Examples
We turned off all the lights and went to sleep.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
39
noun
Meaning 39
A source of illumination.
A traffic light, or (by extension) an intersection controlled by traffic lights.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
Examples
To get to our house, turn right at the third light.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
40
noun
Meaning 40
Spiritual or mental illumination; enlightenment, useful information.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, figuratively, uncountable
Examples
Can you throw any light on this problem?
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
41
noun
Meaning 41
Facts; pieces of information; ideas, concepts.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: archaic, countable, in-plural, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
42
noun
Meaning 42
A notable person within a specific field or discipline.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
Examples
Picasso was one of the leading lights of the cubist movement.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
43
noun
Meaning 43
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.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
Qualifier: painting
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
44
noun
Meaning 44
A point of view, or aspect from which a concept, person or thing is regarded.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
Examples
I'm really seeing you in a different light today.
Magoon's governorship in Cuba was viewed in a negative light by many Cuban historians for years thereafter.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
45
noun
Meaning 45
A flame or something used to create fire.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
46
noun
Meaning 46
A flame or something used to create fire.
A cigarette lighter.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, slang, uncountable
Examples
Hey, buddy, you got a light?
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
47
noun
Meaning 47
A firework made by filling a case with a substance which burns brilliantly with a white or coloured flame.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
Examples
a Bengal light
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
48
noun
Meaning 48
A window in architecture, carriage design, or motor car design: either the opening itself or the window pane of glass that fills it, if any.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
Examples
This facade has eight south-facing lights.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Narrower terms: backlight, sidelight, transom
49
noun
Meaning 49
The series of squares reserved for the answer to a crossword clue.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
Qualifier: crosswording
Examples
The average length of a light on a 15×15 grid is 7 or 8.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
50
noun
Meaning 50
A cross-light in a double acrostic or triple acrostic.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, informal, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
51
noun
Meaning 51
Open view; a visible state or condition; public observation; publicity.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
52
noun
Meaning 52
The power of perception by vision: eyesight (sightedness; vision).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
53
noun
Meaning 53
The brightness of the eye or eyes.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: countable, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
54
noun
Meaning 54
A stone that is not thrown hard enough.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
55
noun
Meaning 55
See lights (“lungs”).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
56
noun
Meaning 56
A low-alcohol lager.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: Australia, uncountable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
57
noun
Meaning 57
A member of the light cavalry.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: historical
Topics: government, military, politics, war
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
58
noun
Meaning 58
Honorific alternative letter-case form of light, sometimes used when referring to God or another important figure who is understood from context.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: alt-of, honorific
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
59
verb
Meaning 59
To start (a fire).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Examples
We lit the fire to get some heat.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: set
Antonyms: extinguish, put out, quench
60
verb
Meaning 60
To set fire to; to set burning.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Examples
She lit her last match.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: ignite, kindle, conflagrate, aflame, alight, fire, fire up, inflame, light, light up, set ablaze, set afire, set aflame, set alight, set fire, set on fire, torch
Antonyms: extinguish, put out, quench
61
verb
Meaning 61
To illuminate; to provide light for when it is dark.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Examples
I used my torch to light the way home through the woods in the night.
19th century', Frederic Harrison, The Fortnightly Review One hundred years ago, to have lit this theatre as brilliantly as it is now lighted would have cost, I suppose, fifty pounds.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive
Examples
This soggy match will not light.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: catch fire, ignite, conflagrate, catch on fire, combust, fire, go up in flames, go up in smoke, light, spunk, take fire
Antonyms: none provided
63
verb
Meaning 63
To attend or conduct with a light; to show the way to by means of a light.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
64
verb
Meaning 64
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.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Qualifier: pinball
Examples
Light the extra ball by amassing 500 million points in the wizard mode.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
65
verb
Meaning 65
To unload a ship, or to jettison material to make it lighter.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: nautical, transport
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
66
verb
Meaning 66
To lighten; to ease of a burden; to take off.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
67
verb
Meaning 67
To leave; to depart.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: broadly
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
68
verb
Meaning 68
To find by chance.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
I lit upon a rare book in a second-hand bookseller's.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
69
verb
Meaning 69
To stop upon (of eyes or a glance); to notice.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
70
verb
Meaning 70
To alight; to land or come down.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: archaic
Examples
She fell out of the window but luckily lit on her feet.
1957, Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel), The Cat in the Hat And our fish came down, too. He fell into a pot! He said, "Do I like this? Oh, no! I do not. This is not a good game," Said our fish as he lit.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
71
adjective
Meaning 71
characterized by or emitting light
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
a room that is light when the shutters are open
the inside of the house was airy and light
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: dark
72
adjective
Meaning 72
(used of color) having a relatively small amount of coloring agent
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
light blue
light colors such as pastels
a light-colored powder
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: light-colored
Antonyms: dark
73
adjective
Meaning 73
of comparatively little physical weight or density
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
a light load
magnesium is a light metal--having a specific gravity of 1.74 at 20 degrees C
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: heavy
74
adjective
Meaning 74
psychologically light; especially free from sadness or troubles
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
a light heart
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: heavy
75
adjective
Meaning 75
not great in degree or quantity or number
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
a light sentence
a light accent
casualties were light
light snow was falling
light misty rain
light smoke from the chimney
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: heavy
76
adjective
Meaning 76
(physics, chemistry) not having atomic weight greater than average
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
light water is ordinary water
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: heavy
77
adjective
Meaning 77
of little intensity or power or force
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
the light touch of her fingers
a light breeze
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: heavy
78
adjective
Meaning 78
of the military or industry; using (or being) relatively small or light arms or equipment
a condition of spiritual awareness; divine illumination
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
follow God's light
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: illumination
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: condition, status
111
verb
Meaning 111
make lighter or brighter
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
This lamp lightens the room a bit
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: illume, illumine, light up, illuminate
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: lighten, lighten up
Narrower terms: floodlight, spotlight
112
verb
Meaning 112
begin to smoke
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
After the meal, some of the diners lit up
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: light up, fire up
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: ignite, light
113
verb
Meaning 113
alight from (a horse)
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: unhorse, dismount, get off, get down
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: descend, fall, go down, come down
114
verb
Meaning 114
to come to rest, settle
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
Misfortune lighted upon him
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: alight, perch
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: land, set down
115
verb
Meaning 115
fall to somebody by assignment or lot
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
The task fell to me
It fell to me to notify the parents of the victims
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: fall
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: fall, return, pass, devolve
116
verb
Meaning 116
cause to start burning; subject to fire or great heat
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
Great heat can ignite almost any dry matter
Light a cigarette
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: ignite
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: burn, combust
Narrower terms: light up, fire up, light, reignite, kindle, enkindle, conflagrate, inflame, flare up
History
Etymology
From Middle English light, liht, leoht, from Old English lēoht (“luminous, bright, light, clear, resplendent, renowned, beautiful”), from Proto-Germanic *leuhtaz (“light”), from Proto-Indo-European *lewk- (“light”). Cognate with Saterland Frisian ljoacht (“light”), Dutch licht, German licht.
From Middle English liȝt, lyghte, from Old English lēht, lēoht, līht, from Proto-West Germanic *lį̄ht, from Proto-Germanic *linhtaz or *līhtaz (“light (in weight)”), from Proto-Indo-European *h1lengwh- (“lightweight”). Cognates Cognate with Dutch licht (“light (not heavy)”), German leicht (“light (not heavy)”), Luxembourgish liicht (“lightweight”), Vilamovian łajcht (“easy”), Yiddish לײַכט (laykht, “light (of low weight)”), Danish let (“light (not heavy)”), Faroese lættur (“light (of weight); easy (to do)”), Icelandic léttur (“light (not weighing much); easy”), Norwegian Bokmål and Norwegian Nynorsk lett (“light (not heavy); easy”), Swedish lätt (“light; of low weight”), Gothic 𐌻𐌴𐌹𐌷𐍄𐍃 (leihts, “light (in weight)”); also Irish léim (“jump, leap; obstacle to be jumped; chasm, promontory”), Scottish Gaelic leum, lèim (“bound, frisk, leap; jump”), Welsh llai (“smaller; fewer, less”), Latin levis (“light (not heavy)”), Greek ελαφρός (elafrós, “lightweight; slight, thin, weak”), Albanian lehtë (“lightweight; easy”), Lithuanian lengvas (“light (not heavy); easy”), Belarusian лёгкі (ljóhki, “light (not heavy); easy”), Bulgarian and Macedonian лек (lek, “light (not heavy)”), Czech lehký (“light (of low weight); easy”), Polish lekki, lętki (“light (having little physical weight); easy (not demanding much effort; not difficult)”), Russian лёгкий (ljóxkij, “lightweight; easy”), Serbo-Croatian ла̏к, ла̏ган, lȁk, lȁgan (“easy; light (not heavy)”), Slovak ľahký (“light (of low weight); easy”), Slovene lahek (“light (of low weight); easy”), Ukrainian легки́й (lehkýj, “lightweight”), Armenian լանջ (lanǰ), լանջք (lanǰkʻ, “breast; mountain slope”), Persian لاغر (lâġar, “lithe; skinny; slender; thin”), Tocharian B lankutse (“light (not heavy)”), Sanskrit लघु (laghu), रघु (raghu, “easy, light, not heavy or difficult”).
English surname, from both senses of light.
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *lewk-der. Proto-Germanic *leuhtaz Proto-West Germanic *leuht Old English lēoht Middle English light English light From Middle English light, liht, leoht, from Old English lēoht, from Proto-West Germanic *leuht, from Proto-Germanic *leuhtą, from Proto-Indo-European *lewktom, from the root *lewk- (“to shine”). Cognates * Scots licht (“light”) * Saterland Frisian Ljoacht, Lucht (“light”) * West Frisian ljocht (“light”) * Dutch licht (“light”) * German Licht (“light”) * German Low German Licht (“light”) * Limburgish Leech, Leet, Léït (“light”) * Luxembourgish Liicht (“light”) * Vilamovian łicht (“light”) * Yiddish ליכט (likht, “light”) * Danish and Norwegian Bokmål lys (“light”) * Elfdalian liuos (“light”) * Faroese and Icelandic ljós (“light”) * Norwegian Nynorsk ljos, ljus, lys (“light”) * Swedish ljus (“light”) * Latin lūx (“light”) * Russian луч (luč, “beam of light”) * Armenian լույս (luys, “light”) * Ancient Greek λευκός (leukós, “white”) * Persian رُخش (roxš).
From light (“noun”).
From Middle English lighten, lihten, from Old English līehtan (“to light, to shine”), from Proto-Germanic *liuhtijaną, from *leuhtą + *-janą. Cognate with German leuchten (“to shine”).
From Middle English lighten, from Old English līhtan (“to relieve”), from Proto-West Germanic *lį̄htijan, from Proto-Germanic *linhtijaną, from *linhtaz (“light”).
Across languages
Translations
1345 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Afrikaans:
lig
— having light
Afrikaans:
helder
— having light
Arabic:
مُنِير
(munīr)
— having light
Bashkir:
яҡты
(yaqtı)
— having light
Belarusian:
све́тлы
(svjétly)
— having light
Bengali:
রওশন
(roōśon)
— having light
Bulgarian:
све́тъл
(svétǎl)
— having light
Chinese Mandarin:
明亮的
(míngliàng de)
— having light
Chinese Mandarin:
光明的
(guāngmíng de)
— having light
Czech:
světlý
— having light
Danish:
lys
— having light
Danish:
belyst
— having light
Danish:
oplyst
— having light
Dutch:
licht
— having light
Dutch:
helder
— having light
Dutch:
lichtend
— having light
Dutch:
lichtgevend
— having light
Esperanto:
luma
— having light
Finnish:
valoisa
— having light
French:
lumineux
— having light
French:
lumineuse
— having light
Galician:
claro
— having light
Galician:
luminoso
— having light
Georgian:
ნათელი
(nateli)
— having light
German:
erleuchtet
— having light
German:
hell
— having light
Greek:
φωτεινός
(foteinós)
— having light
Hebrew:
מואר
— having light
Hebrew:
מוארת
— having light
Hindi:
उज्ज्वलित
(ujjvalit)
— having light
Hungarian:
világos
— having light
Hungarian:
fényes
— having light
Icelandic:
bjart
— having light
Icelandic:
bjartur
— having light
Icelandic:
björt
— having light
Japanese:
明るい
(akarui)
— having light
Kaitag:
ша́ла
(šála)
— having light
Khmer:
ពន្លឺ
(pʊənlɨɨ)
— having light
Korean:
밝다
(bakda)
— having light
Central Kurdish:
ڕوناک
(runak)
— having light
Northern Kurdish:
ron
— having light
Northern Kurdish:
geş
— having light
Latin:
clārus
— having light
Latin:
lūcidus
— having light
Latvian:
gaišs
— having light
Lithuanian:
šviesus
— having light
Macedonian:
светол
(svetol)
— having light
Mizo:
ëng
— having light
Norwegian:
lyst
— having light
Norwegian:
opplyst
— having light
Norwegian:
belyst
— having light
Old Prussian:
lāuks
— having light
Persian:
روشن
(rowšan)
— having light
Polish:
widny
— having light
Polish:
jasny
— having light
Polish:
świetlny
— having light
Polish:
świetlisty
— having light
Portuguese:
iluminado
— having light
Quechua:
achik
— having light
Russian:
све́тлый
(svétlyj)
— having light
Russian:
я́ркий
(járkij)
— having light
Serbo-Croatian:
светао
— having light
Serbo-Croatian:
свијетао
— having light
Serbo-Croatian:
svetao
— having light
Serbo-Croatian:
svijetao
— having light
Slovak:
svetlý
— having light
Slovene:
svetel
— having light
Spanish:
luminoso
— having light
Spanish:
claro
— having light
Spanish:
lumínico
— having light
Swahili:
mwanga
— having light
Swedish:
belyst
— having light
Swedish:
ljus
— having light
Tajik:
равшан
(ravšan)
— having light
Telugu:
కాంతి వంతము
(kānti vantamu)
— having light
Thai:
สว่าง
(sà-wàang)
— having light
Ukrainian:
сві́тлий
(svítlyj)
— having light
Vietnamese:
sáng
— having light
Vietnamese:
sáng sủa
— having light
Welsh:
golau
— having light
Yiddish:
ליכטיק
(likhtik)
— having light
Afrikaans:
lig
— pale in colour
Afrikaans:
bleek gesig
— pale in colour
Afrikaans:
blas vel
— pale in colour
Arabic:
فَاتِح
(fātiḥ)
— pale in colour
Armenian:
բաց
(bacʻ)
— pale in colour
Bulgarian:
светъл
(svetǎl)
— pale in colour
Catalan:
clar
— pale in colour
Chinese Mandarin:
浅色
(qiǎnsè)
— pale in colour
Czech:
světlý
— pale in colour
Danish:
lys
— pale in colour
Danish:
bleg
— pale in colour
Dutch:
licht
— pale in colour
Finnish:
vaalea
— pale in colour
French:
clair
— pale in colour
French:
pâle
— pale in colour
Galician:
claro
— pale in colour
Galician:
pálido
— pale in colour
German:
hell
— pale in colour
Greek:
αχνός
(achnós)
— pale in colour
Greek:
ανοιχτός
(anoichtós)
— pale in colour
Hebrew:
בהיר
(bahír)
— pale in colour
Hebrew:
בהירה
(behirá)
— pale in colour
Hindi:
हलका
(halkā)
— pale in colour
Hindi:
गोरा
(gorā)
— pale in colour
Hindi:
गोरी
(gorī)
— pale in colour
Hungarian:
világos
— pale in colour
Hungarian:
halvány
— pale in colour
Hungarian:
halovány
— pale in colour
Hungarian:
fakó
— pale in colour
Icelandic:
fölur
— pale in colour
Icelandic:
ljós
— pale in colour
Ido:
klara
— pale in colour
Ido:
desobskura
— pale in colour
Irish:
geal-
— pale in colour
Irish:
bán-
— pale in colour
Irish:
éadrom
— pale in colour
Italian:
chiaro m or f chiara
— pale in colour
Korean:
창백(蒼白)하다
(changbaekhada)
— pale in colour
Korean:
옅다
(yeotda)
— pale in colour
Korean:
밝다
(bakda)
— pale in colour
Central Kurdish:
کاڵ
(kall)
— pale in colour
Northern Kurdish:
geş
— pale in colour
Northern Kurdish:
(rengê) vebiye
— pale in colour
Latvian:
gaišs
— pale in colour
Ligurian:
ciæo
— pale in colour
Lithuanian:
šviesus
— pale in colour
Mizo:
ëng
— pale in colour
Norwegian:
lys
— pale in colour
Norwegian:
blek
— pale in colour
Occitan:
clar
— pale in colour
Polish:
jasny
— pale in colour
Portuguese:
clara
— pale in colour
Portuguese:
claro
— pale in colour
Romansh:
cler
— pale in colour
Romansh:
clar
— pale in colour
Russian:
бле́дный
(blédnyj)
— pale in colour
Russian:
све́тлый
(svétlyj)
— pale in colour
Slovene:
svetel
— pale in colour
Spanish:
claro
— pale in colour
Spanish:
pálido
— pale in colour
Spanish:
blanquecino
— pale in colour
Spanish:
blanquinoso
— pale in colour
Spanish:
blanquizco
— pale in colour
Spanish:
desblanquecido
— pale in colour
Spanish:
blancuzco
— pale in colour
Spanish:
desblanquiñado
— pale in colour
Spanish:
albarizo
— pale in colour
Spanish:
blancazo
— pale in colour
Spanish:
musha
— pale in colour
Swahili:
mwanga
— pale in colour
Swedish:
blek
— pale in colour
Swedish:
ljus
— pale in colour
Telugu:
పాలిపోవు
(pālipōvu)
— pale in colour
Thai:
อ่อน
(ɔ̀ɔn)
— pale in colour
Turkish:
soluk
— pale in colour
Turkish:
açık
— pale in colour
Ukrainian:
сві́тлий
(svítlyj)
— pale in colour
Vietnamese:
nhạt
— pale in colour
Volapük:
klilik
— pale in colour
Volapük:
paelik
— pale in colour
Welsh:
golau
— pale in colour
Catalan:
tallat
— coffee: served with extra milk or cream
Danish:
med mælk
— coffee: served with extra milk or cream
Danish:
med fløde
— coffee: served with extra milk or cream
Finnish:
maidolla
— coffee: served with extra milk or cream
Finnish:
maitokahvi)
— coffee: served with extra milk or cream
French:
au lait
— coffee: served with extra milk or cream
Galician:
claro
— coffee: served with extra milk or cream
Icelandic:
með ^((please verify)) mjólk
— coffee: served with extra milk or cream
Icelandic:
hvítt
— coffee: served with extra milk or cream
Latvian:
balta
— coffee: served with extra milk or cream
Portuguese:
pingado
— coffee: served with extra milk or cream
Spanish:
con leche
— coffee: served with extra milk or cream
Swahili:
mwanga
— coffee: served with extra milk or cream
Swedish:
med grädde
— coffee: served with extra milk or cream
Swedish:
med mjölk
— coffee: served with extra milk or cream
Telugu:
లైట్
(laiṭ)
— coffee: served with extra milk or cream
Vietnamese:
nhẹ
— coffee: served with extra milk or cream
Vietnamese:
nhiều sữa
— coffee: served with extra milk or cream
Vietnamese:
nhiều kem
— coffee: served with extra milk or cream
Abkhaz:
алас
(alas)
— of low weight
Ahom:
𑜉𑜨𑜧
(mow)
— of low weight
Arabic:
خَفِيف
(ḵafīf)
— of low weight
Arabic:
خفيف
(ḵfīf)
— of low weight
Arabic:
خفيف
(ḵafīf)
— of low weight
Aragonese:
lixero
— of low weight
Armenian:
թեթեւ
(tʻetʻew)
— of low weight
Aromanian:
lishor
— of low weight
Aromanian:
licshor
— of low weight
Aromanian:
ljiushor
— of low weight
Assamese:
পাতল
(patol)
— of low weight
Asturian:
llivianu
— of low weight
Avar:
тӏадагьаб
(tʼadahab)
— of low weight
Azerbaijani:
yüngül
— of low weight
Belarusian:
лёгкі
(ljóhki)
— of low weight
Breton:
skañv
— of low weight
Bulgarian:
лек
(lek)
— of low weight
Catalan:
lleuger
— of low weight
Cebuano:
gaan
— of low weight
Central Bikol:
magian
— of low weight
Chechen:
дай
(daj)
— of low weight
Chepang:
खुय्ङःमै
— of low weight
Chinese Cantonese:
輕 /轻
(heng1)
— of low weight
Chinese Mandarin:
輕 /轻
(qīng)
— of low weight
Chinook Jargon:
wik-thil
— of low weight
Cornish:
skav
— of low weight
Czech:
lehký
— of low weight
Danish:
let
— of low weight
Dutch:
licht
— of low weight
Esperanto:
malpeza
— of low weight
Esperanto:
leĝera
— of low weight
Evenki:
энимкун
(əņimkun)
— of low weight
Faroese:
lættur
— of low weight
Finnish:
kevyt
— of low weight
French:
léger
— of low weight
Friulian:
lizêr
— of low weight
Galician:
livián
— of low weight
Galician:
lixeiro
— of low weight
Georgian:
მსუბუქი
(msubuki)
— of low weight
Georgian:
მჩატე
(mčaṭe)
— of low weight
German:
leicht
— of low weight
Gothic:
𐌻𐌴𐌹𐌷𐍄𐍃
(leihts)
— of low weight
Greek:
αβαρής
(avarís)
— of low weight
Greek:
ελαφρός
(elafrós)
— of low weight
Greek:
ελαφρύς
(elafrýs)
— of low weight
Ancient Greek:
ἐλαφρός
(elaphrós)
— of low weight
Ancient Greek:
κοῦφος
(koûphos)
— of low weight
Ancient Greek:
ἀβαρής
(abarḗs)
— of low weight
Haitian Creole:
leje
— of low weight
Hawaiian:
māmā
— of low weight
Hebrew:
קל
(kál)
— of low weight
Hebrew:
קלה
(kaláh)
— of low weight
Hindi:
हलका
(halkā)
— of low weight
White Hmong:
sib
— of low weight
Hungarian:
könnyű
— of low weight
Icelandic:
léttur
— of low weight
Icelandic:
létt
— of low weight
Ido:
lejera
— of low weight
Ilocano:
nalag-an
— of low weight
Indonesian:
ringan
— of low weight
Ingush:
дай
(daj)
— of low weight
Ingush:
атта
(atta)
— of low weight
Italian:
leggero
— of low weight
Iu Mien:
heng
— of low weight
Japanese:
軽い
(karui)
— of low weight
Javanese:
ènthèng
— of low weight
Kabuverdianu:
lébi
— of low weight
Kaitag:
кук
(kuk)
— of low weight
Kazakh:
жеңіл
(jeñıl)
— of low weight
Khmer:
ស្រាល
(sraal)
— of low weight
Korean:
가볍다
(gabyeopda)
— of low weight
Korean:
경량(輕量)의
(gyeongnyang-ui)
— of low weight
Central Kurdish:
سووک
(sûk)
— of low weight
Northern Kurdish:
sivik
— of low weight
Ladin:
lesier
— of low weight
Lao:
ຍ່ອງ
(nyǭng)
— of low weight
Lao:
ເບົາ
(bao)
— of low weight
Latin:
levis
— of low weight
Latvian:
viegls
— of low weight
Lezgi:
кьезил
(q̇ezil)
— of low weight
Lithuanian:
lengvas
— of low weight
Lombard:
legger
— of low weight
Lü:
ᦢᧁ
(ḃaw)
— of low weight
Macedonian:
лесен
(lesen)
— of low weight
Malay:
ringan
— of low weight
Maltese:
ħafif
— of low weight
Māori:
māmā
— of low weight
Mauritian Creole:
leze
— of low weight
Mizo:
zäng
— of low weight
Mongolian:
хөнгөн
(xöngön)
— of low weight
Muong:
nhẽl
— of low weight
Nanai:
хэню
(henju)
— of low weight
Norman:
ligi
— of low weight
Norwegian:
lett
— of low weight
Nuosu:
ꀁꇖ
(ix ly)
— of low weight
Occitan:
leugièr
— of low weight
Old Church Slavonic:
льгъкъ
(lĭgŭkŭ)
— of low weight