1. something that makes things visible or affords illumination: All colors depend on light.
2. Physics.
• electromagnetic radiation to which the organs of sight react, ranging in wavelength from about 400 to 700 nanometers and propagated at a speed of 186,282 miles per second (299,972 kilometers per second), considered variously as a wave, a stream of particles, or a quantum phenomenon.
• a similar form of radiant energy that does not affect the retina, as ultraviolet or infrared rays.
3. the sensation produced by stimulation of the organs of sight.
4. an illuminating agent or source, as the sun, a lamp, or a beacon.
5. the radiance or illumination from a particular source: the light of a candle.
6. the illumination from the sun; daylight: We awoke at the first light.
7. daybreak or dawn: when light appeared in the east.
8. daytime: Summer has more hours of light.
9. a particular light or illumination in which an object seen takes on a certain appearance: viewing the portrait in dim light.
10. a device for or means of igniting, as a spark, flame, or match: Could you give me a light?
11. a traffic light: Don't cross till the light changes.
12. the aspect in which a thing appears or is regarded: Try to look at the situation in a more cheerful light.
13. the state of being visible, exposed to view, or revealed to public notice or knowledge; limelight: Stardom has placed her in the light.
14. a person who is an outstanding leader, celebrity, or example; luminary: He became one of the leading lights of Restoration drama.
15. Art.
• the effect of light falling on an object or scene as represented in a picture.
• one of the brightest parts of a picture.
16. a gleam or sparkle, as in the eyes.
17. a measure or supply of light; illumination: The wall cuts off our light.
18. spiritual illumination or awareness; enlightenment.
19. Architecture.
• one compartment of a window or window sash.
• a window, especially a small one.
20. mental insight; understanding.
21. the information, ideas, or mental capacities possessed: to act according to one's lights.
22. a lighthouse.
23. the eyesight.

24. having light or illumination; bright; well-lighted: the lightest room in the entire house.
25. pale, whitish, or not deep or dark in color: a light blue.
26. (of coffee or tea) containing enough milk or cream to produce a light color.

27. to set burning, as a candle, lamp, fire, match, or cigarette; kindle; ignite.
28. to turn or switch on (an electric light): One flick of the master switch lights all the lamps in the room.
29. to give light to; furnish with light or illumination: The room is lighted by two large chandeliers.
30. to make (an area or object) bright with or as if with light (often followed by up): Hundreds of candles lighted up the ballroom.
31. to cause (the face, surroundings, etc.) to brighten, especially with joy, animation, or the like (often followed by up): A smile lit up her face. Her presence lighted up the room.
32. to guide or conduct with a light: a candle to light you to bed.

33. to take fire or become kindled: The damp wood refused to light.
34. to ignite a cigar, cigarette, or pipe for purposes of smoking (usually followed by up): He took out a pipe and lighted up before speaking.
35. to become illuminated when switched on: This table lamp won't light.
36. to become bright, as with light or color (often followed by up): The sky lights up at sunset.
37. to brighten with animation or joy, as the face or eyes (often followed by up).

38. to discover or reveal: The excavations brought to light the remnants of an ancient civilization.
39. to be discovered or revealed: Some previously undiscovered letters have lately come to light.
40. to conceal or suppress one's talents or successes.
41. under favorable (or unfavorable) circumstances: She worshiped him, but then she'd only seen him in a good light.
42. taking into account; because of; considering: It was necessary to review the decision in the light of recent developments.
43. a prospect of success, relief, or redemption: We haven't solved the problem yet, but we're beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel.
44. see the light,
• to come into existence or being.
• to be made public.
• to begin to accept or understand a point of view one formerly opposed: Her father was opposed to her attending an out-of-town college, but he finally saw the light.
45. to clarify; clear up: His deathbed confession threw light on a mystery of long standing.

1. of little weight; not heavy: a light load.
2. of little weight in proportion to bulk; of low specific gravity: a light metal.
3. of less than the usual or average weight: light clothing.
4. weighing less than the proper or standard amount: to be caught using light weights in trade.
5. of small amount, force, intensity, etc.: light trading on the stock market;a light rain;light sleep.
6. using or applying little or slight pressure or force: The child petted the puppy with light, gentle strokes.
7. not distinct; faint: The writing on the page had become light and hard to read.
8. easy to endure, deal with, or perform; not difficult or burdensome: light duties.
9. not very profound or serious; amusing or entertaining: light reading.
10. of little importance or consequence; trivial: The loss of his job was no light matter.
11. easily digested:light food.
12. low in any substance, as sugar, starch, or tars, that is considered harmful or undesirable: light cigarettes.
13. (of alcoholic beverages)
• not heavy or strong: a light apéritif.
• (especially of beer and wine) having fewer calories and usually a lower alcohol content than the standard product.
14. spongy or well-leavened, as cake.
15. (of soil) containing much sand; porous or crumbly.
16. slender or delicate in form or appearance: a light, graceful figure.
17. airy or buoyant in movement: When she dances, she's as light as a feather.
18. nimble or agile: light on one's feet.
19. free from trouble, sorrow, or worry; carefree: a light heart.
20. cheerful; merry: a light laugh.
21. characterized by lack of proper seriousness; frivolous: light conduct.
22. sexually promiscuous; loose.
23. easily swayed; changeable: volatile: a heart light of love;His is a life of a man light of purpose.
24. slightly delirious; dizzy: I get light on one martini.
25. lightly armed or equipped: light cavalry.
26. having little or no cargo, encumbrance, or the like; not burdened: a light freighter drawing little water.
27. adapted by small weight or slight build for small loads or swift movement: The grocer bought a light truck for deliveries.
28. using small-scale machinery primarily for the production of consumer goods: light industry.
29. noting any sail of light canvas set only in moderate or calm weather, as a royal, skysail, studdingsail, gaff topsail, or spinnaker.
30. (of wind) having a speed up to 7 miles per hour (3 meters per second).
31. (of l-sounds) resembling a front vowel in quality; clear: French l is lighter than English l.
32. Prosody. (of a syllable)
• unstressed (def. 1).
• short (def. 17a).
33. being in debt to the pot: He's a dollar light.

34. with few or no suitcases; lightly: to travel light.
35. with no load or cargo hauled or carried: a locomotive running light to its roundhouse.

36. a light product, as a beer or cigarette.

37. to treat as unimportant or trivial: They made light of our hard-won victory.

1. to get down or descend, as from a horse or a vehicle: As she lighted, the journalists began shouting questions at her.
2. to come to rest, as on a spot or thing; fall or settle upon; land: The bird lighted on the branch. My eye lighted on some friends in the crowd.
3. to come by chance; happen; hit (usually followed by on or upon): to light on a clue; to light on an ideal picnic spot.
4. to fall, as a stroke, weapon, vengeance, or choice, on a place or person:The choice lighted upon our candidate.

5. to make a vigorous physical or verbal attack on: He would light into anyone with the slightest provocation.
6. to leave quickly; depart hurriedly: He lit out of here as fast as his legs would carry him.

1. the medium of illumination that makes sight possible
2. electromagnetic radiation that is capable of causing a visual sensation and has wavelengths from about 380 to about 780 nanometres
3. electromagnetic radiation that has a wavelength outside this range, esp ultraviolet radiation
4. the sensation experienced when electromagnetic radiation within the visible spectrum falls on the retina of the eye
5. anything that illuminates, such as a lamp or candle
6. See traffic light
7. a particular quality or type of light
• illumination from the sun during the day; daylight
• the time this appears; daybreak; dawn
9. anything that allows the entrance of light, such as a window or compartment of a window
10. the condition of being visible or known (esp in the phrases bring or come to light)
11. an aspect or view
12. mental understanding or spiritual insight
13. a person considered to be an authority or leader
14. brightness of countenance, esp a sparkle in the eyes
• the act of igniting or kindling something, such as a cigarette
• something that ignites or kindles, esp in a specified manner, such as a spark or flame
• something used for igniting or kindling, such as a match
16. See lighthouse
• the effect of illumination on objects or scenes, as created in a picture
• an area of brightness in a picture, as opposed to shade
18. a poetic or archaic word for eyesight
19. the answer to a clue in a crossword
20. in view of; taking into account; considering
21. hope for the ending of a difficult or unpleasant situation
22. quickly asleep or unconscious
23. see the light
• to gain sudden insight into or understanding of something
• to experience a religious conversion
24. see the light or see the light of day
• to come into being
• to come to public notice
25. to clarify or supply additional information on
26. to stand so as to obscure a person's vision
27. strike a light
• to ignite something, esp a match, by friction
• an exclamation of surprise

28. full of light; well-lighted
29. (of a colour) reflecting or transmitting a large amount of light
30. relating to or denoting an (l) pronounced with front vowel resonance; clear

31. to ignite or cause to ignite
32. to illuminate or cause to illuminate
33. to make or become cheerful or animated
34. to guide or lead by light

1. not heavy; weighing relatively little
2. having relatively low density
3. lacking sufficient weight; not agreeing with standard or official weights
4. not great in degree, intensity, or number
5. without burdens, difficulties, or problems; easily borne or done
6. graceful, agile, or deft
7. not bulky or clumsy
8. not serious or profound; entertaining
9. without importance or consequence; insignificant
10. frivolous or capricious
11. loose in morals
12. dizzy or unclear
13. (of bread, cake, etc) spongy or well leavened
14. easily digested
15. relatively low in alcoholic content
16. (of a soil) having a crumbly texture
17. (of a vessel, lorry, etc)
• designed to carry light loads
• not loaded
18. carrying light arms or equipment
19. (of an industry) engaged in the production of small consumer goods using light machinery
20. (of an aircraft) having a maximum take-off weight less than 5670 kilograms (12 500 pounds)
21. (of an oil fraction obtained from coal tar) having a boiling range between about 100° and 210°C
22. (of a railway) having a narrow gauge, or in some cases a standard gauge with speed or load restrictions not applied to a main line
23. bridge
• (of a bid) made on insufficient values
• (of a player) having failed to take sufficient tricks to make his contract
24. (of a syllable, vowel, etc) unaccented or weakly stressed; short
25. the least of three levels of stress in an utterance, in such languages as English
26. lacking a sufficient quantity of (something)
27. to treat as insignificant or trifling

28. a less common word for lightly
29. with little equipment, baggage, etc

30. (esp of birds) to settle or land after flight
31. to get down from a horse, vehicle, etc
32. to come upon unexpectedly
33. to strike or fall on

1. God regarded as a source of illuminating grace and strength
2. Quakerism short for Inner Light

More Definitions

• LEUCAS (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples
• KAMCHATKAN (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples
• BLOOD VESSEL (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples
• NATIONAL DEBT (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples
• PAPILLA (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples
• FUJI (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples