Phrase guide
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.
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noun
An evacuated glass bulb containing a metal filament which is heated by electrical resistance to produce light.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: bulb, glow-lamp, incandescent lamp, light globe
Antonyms: none provided
noun
An article that resembles such a bulb and converts electricity to light by any process.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: broadly
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Used in reference to the sudden arrival of a realization, an inspiration, an idea, or the like.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: figuratively
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
electric lamp consisting of a transparent or translucent glass housing containing a wire filament (usually tungsten) that emits light when heated by electricity
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: lightbulb, bulb, incandescent lamp, electric light, electric-light bulb
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: electric lamp
History
From light + bulb First attested in 1885.
Across languages
166 source translations are retained for this English entry.
