Light | Mean of light in English Dictionary

/ˈlaɪt/

• Noun
• the form of energy that makes it possible to see things
1. The light was bright/dazzling.
2. The landscape was bathed/awash in light.
3. a ray/shaft/beam of light
4. a source of light = a light source
5. a photograph taken in low/dim light
6. the light of the moon
7. a mixture of light and shadow
8. The windows let fresh air and light into the room.
9. a plant that grows best in direct/indirect light [=with light shining directly/indirectly on it]
10. natural light [=sunlight]
11. artificial light [=light produced by electric lamps]
12. He hates the harsh light of publicity.
• a source of light (such as an electric lamp)
1. turn/switch on/off the light
2. a fluorescent light
3. a light fixture [=a lamp that is permanently attached to a wall, ceiling, etc.]
4. a warning light
5. The lights suddenly went out.
6. The lights suddenly came on.
7. the twinkling lights of the city below
8. the bright lights of Broadway
9. a light switch [=a switch for turning lights on and off]
10. The lights are on, so there must be somebody at home.
• a light on a vehicle
1. His car's battery died because he left his lights on.

• a way of showing or understanding something or someone
1. The situation looks less serious when looked at in a certain light. [=in a certain way]
2. I see things in a different light now. [=I see/understand things differently now]
3. The defendants were shown/depicted in a bad light [=in a way that made them seem bad] by the lawyer.
4. The news about his marital problems does not place/put him in a good light. [=does not make him appear to be a good person]
5. She tried to explain her behavior in the best light possible. [=in a way that would make her appear as good as possible]
• a light or set of lights used to control traffic
1. Turn left at the next light.
2. The light was red.
3. We were waiting for the light to turn green.
• a flame for lighting a cigarette
1. I need a light for my cigarette.
2. Do you have a light?
3. I didn't have any matches, but a stranger gave me a light. [=lit my cigarette for me]
• a quality in a person's eyes that shows emotion
1. I saw the light of recognition in her eye.
• light colors
1. the composition of lights and darks in the painting/photograph
• light-colored clothes
1. Wash the lights and the darks separately.
• according to your idea of what is right
1. You know my views on the matter; but of course you must act according to your (own) lights. [=you must be guided by your own opinions about what is right]
• a reason to believe that a bad situation will end soon or that a long and difficult job will be finished soon
1. They are falling deeper into debt, and there is no light at the end of the tunnel.
2. The work on our house has been going on for months, but we're finally starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel.
• to tell people about (something)
1. Many new facts were brought to light during the investigation.
• to help to explain (something)
1. She is developing new theories that might shed some light on these unusual phenomena.
2. I hope my explanation throws light on their behavior.
• to become known
1. Other details have come to light because of this investigation.
2. She was angry when it came to light that some people were being promoted unfairly.
• blocking the light that someone needs to see or read something
1. She asked him to move back a few steps because he was in her light.
• while thinking about (something that affects the way you see or understand things)
1. You should think about their advice in light of your own needs.
2. It is impossible to come to a conclusion in the light of the data we have here.
3. You should read the story in light of your own experiences.
• because of (something)
1. It's a particularly important topic in light of recent events.
• to suddenly understand or realize the truth of something
1. Many people doubted his theory, but most of them have now finally seen the light. [=most of them now realize that his theory is correct]
• to be seen or used
1. our fine china, which hasn't seen the light of day in at least 10 years
• to become publicly known
1. Important documents in this case have never seen the light of day.
2. Her theory first saw the light of day in a well-respected magazine.
• to cause (something) to begin burning
1. used a match to set light to [=set fire to] the paper
• a person you love very much and who makes you happy
1. His daughter is the light of his life.
• not dark or deep in color
1. light blue
2. She has a light complexion.
3. He has light [=fair] skin/hair.
• having a lot of light
1. a light and airy room
• having the light of the day
1. We're planning to leave as soon as it's light. [=as soon as there is daylight]
2. We're hoping to arrive while it's still light out. [=to arrive before night has fallen]
3. In summer it gets light earlier and stays light later than in winter.
• Verb
• to provide light for (something)
1. They used candles to light the room. = They lighted/lit the room with candles.
2. a dimly/poorly lit room
3. a brightly lit room
4. a well-lighted place
5. Our guide used a candle to light the way. [=to show the way that had to be followed]
• to cause (something) to burn
1. light a match/candle
2. I lit (up) a cigarette for him. = I lit him a cigarette.
• to begin to burn
1. waiting for the wood to light
• to cause (someone) to move or work more quickly and effectively
1. I've never seen him work so hard. Someone must have lit a fire under him.
• to attack or criticize (someone) forcefully
1. He lit into his employees for their sloppy work. [=he criticized them very harshly]
2. She lit into her opponent and did not let up.
• to find or see (something) by chance
1. Researchers have lit upon [=found] a solution.
2. His eye lit on a story in the newspaper.
• to leave in a hurry for someplace
1. He suddenly lit out for home.
• to become lit
1. All of the lights on the display suddenly lit up.
2. His eyes/face lit up [=he looked very happy and pleased] when she walked in the room.
• to show a light indicating that someone is calling
1. When the DJ announced a contest, the phones lit up. [=the lights on the phones lit up because many people were calling]
• to light a cigarette
1. I can't wait to light up [=smoke a cigarette] after work.
• not heavy
1. This suitcase is light enough for a child to carry.
2. The truck was carrying a light load.
3. “How heavy is it?” “Not very: it's actually quite light.”
4. It's very light in weight. = It's of very light weight.
5. This box is lighter than I thought it would be.
6. She would like to be a few pounds lighter. = She would like to be lighter by a few pounds. [=she would like to weigh less than she does by a few pounds]
7. Aluminum is a light metal.
8. lifting light weights
9. This box is as light as a feather. [=very light]
• small in size and weight
1. He has a light build.
• less in amount or degree than usual
1. Only a light turnout is expected for the election.
2. Traffic was light this morning.
3. I have only a light course load this semester.
4. The stock market was slightly up today in light trading.
5. light rain/snow
6. She was wearing light makeup.
7. light perfume
• not strong or violent
1. a light breeze
• not great or large
1. The storm caused only light [=slight] damage. [=the storm did not cause much damage]
2. light competition
3. Casualties have so far been light.
• not difficult to accept or bear
1. a light responsibility
2. light punishment
3. He was given a surprisingly light sentence for his crimes.
• slight or minor in degree or effect
1. She has a light cold.
2. light discipline
3. These shrubs require only a little light pruning.
• not involving a lot of physical effort
1. light lifting
2. doing a little light housework
3. light exercise/exertion
4. a light practice session
5. It's a big job, but many hands make light work. [=if many people work on it, it will be easier to do]
• not loud or forceful
1. light footsteps
2. a light tread
3. a light touch
4. just a light tap on the ball/shoulder
• not important or serious
1. doing some light reading
• not dense and thick
1. He has a light beard.
2. a light growth of timber
3. an animal's light summer coat
4. light fog/smoke
5. light soil
• made with thin cloth and not very warm
1. a light coat/blanket
• eating, drinking, or using a small amount of something
1. He's a light eater/smoker/drinker/user.
2. light alcohol consumption
• producing a small amount of something
1. a shrub that is a light bloomer [=a shrub that does not produce many flowers]
• not done often or in large amounts
1. light smoking
• not having a large amount of food
1. We ate a light lunch.
2. a light snack
• made with fewer calories or with less of some ingredient than usual
1. light beer
• not rich, dense, or thick
1. light cream
2. light syrup
• designed to carry a small load or few passengers
1. a light truck
2. a refueling point for light aircraft
• not as large and powerful as other weapons, machines, etc.
1. light artillery
2. light machinery
• having fewer and smaller weapons and less armor than other groups but able to move quickly
1. light infantry/cavalry
• having or using a small amount of (something)
1. an essay that is light on facts but heavy on speculation
2. She asked him to go light on the mustard. [=to not use a large amount of mustard]
• capable of moving in a quick and graceful way
1. He's very light on his feet for such a big person.
• someone who wakes up easily
1. She's a very light sleeper. The slightest noise will wake her.
• to treat (something, such as a problem) in a joking way
1. I don't mean to make light of this very serious issue.
2. He made light of his recent losses—but you could tell he was worried about them.
• to eat foods that will not cause you to gain weight
1. She is careful to eat light and exercise often.
• to travel with little baggage
1. savvy vacationers who have learned to travel light