light meaning and definition

LIGHT noun

Definition of light (noun)

1. (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
   • "the light was filtered through a soft glass window"
   • synonyms: visible light, visible radiation
2. any device serving as a source of illumination
   • "he stopped the car and turned off the lights"
   • synonyms: light source
3. a particular perspective or aspect of a situation
   • "although he saw it in a different light, he still did not understand"
4. the quality of being luminous; emitting or reflecting light
   • "its luminosity is measured relative to that of our sun"
   • synonyms: brightness, brightness level, luminance, luminosity, luminousness
5. an illuminated area
   • "he stepped into the light"
6. a condition of spiritual awareness; divine illumination
   • "follow God's light"
   • synonyms: illumination
7. the visual effect of illumination on objects or scenes as created in pictures
   • "he could paint the lightest light and the darkest dark"
   • synonyms: lightness
8. a person regarded very fondly
   • "the light of my life"
9. having abundant light or illumination
   • "they played as long as it was light"; "as long as the lighting was good"
   • synonyms: lighting
   • antonym: dark
10. mental understanding as an enlightening experience
    • "he finally saw the light"; "can you shed light on this problem?"
11. merriment expressed by a brightness or gleam or animation of countenance
    • "he had a sparkle in his eye"; "there's a perpetual twinkle in his eyes"
    • synonyms: spark, sparkle, twinkle
12. public awareness
    • "it brought the scandal to light"
13. a divine presence believed by Quakers to enlighten and guide the soul
    • synonyms: Christ Within, Inner Light, Light Within
14. a visual warning signal
    • "they saw the light of the beacon"; "there was a light at every corner"
15. a device for lighting or igniting fuel or charges or fires
    • "do you have a light?"
    • synonyms: igniter, ignitor, lighter

LIGHT verb

Definition of light (verb)

1. make lighter or brighter
   • "This lamp lightens the room a bit"
   • synonyms: illume, illuminate, illumine, light up
2. begin to smoke
   • "After the meal, some of the diners lit up"
   • synonyms: fire up, light up
3. to come to rest, settle
   • "Misfortune lighted upon him"
   • synonyms: alight, perch
4. cause to start burning; subject to fire or great heat
   • "Great heat can ignite almost any dry matter"; "Light a cigarette"
   • synonyms: ignite
   • antonym: blow out
5. fall to somebody by assignment or lot
   • "The task fell to me"; "It fell to me to notify the parents of the victims"
   • synonyms: fall
6. alight from (a horse)
   • synonyms: dismount, get down, get off, unhorse

LIGHT adjective

Definition of light (adjective)

1. of comparatively little physical weight or density
   • "a light load"; "magnesium is a light metal--having a specific gravity of 1.74 at 20 degrees C"
   • antonym: heavy
2. (used of color) having a relatively small amount of coloring agent
   • "light blue"; "light colors such as pastels"; "a light-colored powder"
   • synonyms: light-colored
   • antonym: dark
3. of the military or industry; using (or being) relatively small or light arms or equipment
   • "light infantry"; "light cavalry"; "light industry"; "light weapons"
   • antonym: heavy
4. not great in degree or quantity or number
   • "a light sentence"; "a light accent"; "casualties were light"; "light snow was falling"; "light misty rain"; "light smoke from the chimney"
   • antonym: heavy
5. psychologically light; especially free from sadness or troubles
   • "a light heart"
   • antonym: heavy
6. characterized by or emitting light
   • "a room that is light when the shutters are open"; "the inside of the house was airy and light"
   • antonym: dark
7. (used of vowels or syllables) pronounced with little or no stress
   • "a syllable that ends in a short vowel is a light syllable"; "a weak stress on the second syllable"
   • synonyms: unaccented, weak
8. easily assimilated in the alimentary canal; not rich or heavily seasoned
   • "a light diet"
9. (used of soil) loose and large-grained in consistency
   • "light soil"
10. (of sound or color) free from anything that dulls or dims
    • "efforts to obtain a clean bass in orchestral recordings"; "clear laughter like a waterfall"; "clear reds and blues"; "a light lilting voice like a silver bell"
    • synonyms: clean, clear, unclouded
11. moving easily and quickly; nimble
    • "the dancer was light and graceful"; "a lightsome buoyant step"; "walked with a light tripping step"
    • synonyms: lightsome, tripping
12. demanding little effort; not burdensome
    • "light housework"; "light exercise"
13. of little intensity or power or force
    • "the light touch of her fingers"; "a light breeze"
    • antonym: heavy
14. (physics, chemistry) not having atomic weight greater than average
    • "light water is ordinary water"
    • antonym: heavy
15. weak and likely to lose consciousness
    • "suddenly felt faint from the pain"; "was sick and faint from hunger"; "felt light in the head"; "a swooning fit"; "light-headed with wine"; "light-headed from lack of sleep"
    • synonyms: faint, lightheaded, light-headed, swooning
16. very thin and insubstantial
    • "thin paper"; "light summer dresses"
17. marked by temperance in indulgence
    • "abstemious with the use of adverbs"; "a light eater"; "a light smoker"; "ate a light supper"
    • synonyms: abstemious
18. less than the correct or legal or full amount often deliberately so
    • "a light pound"; "a scant cup of sugar"; "regularly gives short weight"
    • synonyms: scant, short
19. having little importance
    • "losing his job was no light matter"
20. intended primarily as entertainment; not serious or profound
    • "light verse"; "a light comedy"
21. silly or trivial
    • "idle pleasure"; "light banter"; "light idle chatter"
    • synonyms: idle
22. designed for ease of movement or to carry little weight
    • "light aircraft"; "a light truck"
23. having relatively few calories
    • "diet cola"; "light (or lite) beer"; "lite (or light) mayonnaise"; "a low-cal diet"
    • synonyms: calorie-free, lite, low-cal
24. (of sleep) easily disturbed
    • "in a light doze"; "a light sleeper"; "a restless wakeful night"
    • synonyms: wakeful
25. casual and unrestrained in sexual behavior
    • "her easy virtue"; "he was told to avoid loose (or light) women"; "wanton behavior"
    • synonyms: easy, loose, promiscuous, sluttish, wanton

LIGHT adverb

Definition of light (adverb)

1. with few burdens
   • "experienced travellers travel light"
   • synonyms: lightly