An Encylopedia Britannica Company

light

1 light /ˈlaɪt/ noun
plural lights
1 light
/ˈlaɪt/
noun
plural lights
Britannica Dictionary definition of LIGHT
[noncount] : the form of energy that makes it possible to see things : the brightness produced by the sun, by fire, by a lamp, etc.
sometimes used figuratively
[count]
: a source of light (such as an electric lamp)
see also nightlight
: a light on a vehicle
[singular] : a way of showing or understanding something or someone
[count] : a light or set of lights used to control traffic : traffic light
[singular] informal : a flame for lighting a cigarette
[noncount] formal : daylight 1
see also see the light of day (below)
[singular] : a quality in a person's eyes that shows emotion
lights [plural]
: light colors : colors that are more white than black
: light-colored clothes

according to your lights

formal
: according to your idea of what is right

a light at the end of the tunnel

: a reason to believe that a bad situation will end soon or that a long and difficult job will be finished soon

bring (something) to light

: to tell people about (something) : to make (something) known

cast/shed/throw light on

: to help to explain (something) : to make it possible to understand or know more about (something)

come to light

: to become known

hide your light under a bushel

see bushel

in someone's light

: blocking the light that someone needs to see or read something

in the cold light of day

see 1cold

in the light of

or US in light of
: while thinking about (something that affects the way you see or understand things)
: because of (something)

light dawns

◊ When people suddenly understand something that they had not understood before, (a/the) light dawns (on them).

more heat than light

see 1heat

out like a light

informal
: asleep

punch someone's lights out

see 1punch

see the light

informal
: to suddenly understand or realize the truth of something

see the light of day

: to be seen or used
: to become publicly known

set light to

chiefly British
: to cause (something) to begin burning

the light of your life

: a person you love very much and who makes you happy

trip the light fantastic

see 2trip
see also green light, leading light, northern lights, southern lights, sweetness and light at sweetness
2 light /ˈlaɪt/ adjective
lighter; lightest
2 light
/ˈlaɪt/
adjective
lighter; lightest
Britannica Dictionary definition of LIGHT
: not dark or deep in color : pale
: having the light of the day
compare 4light
3 light /ˈlaɪt/ verb
lights; lighted or lit /ˈlɪt/ ; lighting
3 light
/ˈlaɪt/
verb
lights; lighted or lit /ˈlɪt/ ; lighting
Britannica Dictionary definition of LIGHT
[+ object] : to provide light for (something)
[+ object] : to cause (something) to burn
see also light up 3 (below)
[no object] : to begin to burn

light a fire under (someone)

US, informal
: to cause (someone) to move or work more quickly and effectively

light into

[phrasal verb]
light into (someone) US, informal
: to attack or criticize (someone) forcefully

light on/upon

[phrasal verb]
light on/upon (something)
: to find or see (something) by chance

light out

[phrasal verb] US, informal
: to leave in a hurry for someplace

light up

[phrasal verb]
of a light : to become lit : to begin shining often used figuratively
informal, of a telephone : to show a light indicating that someone is calling
light (something) up or light up (something) : to provide light for (something) : to fill (something) with light
often used figuratively
informal : to light a cigarette
4 light /ˈlaɪt/ adjective
lighter; lightest
4 light
/ˈlaɪt/
adjective
lighter; lightest
Britannica Dictionary definition of LIGHT
: not heavy : having little weight or less than usual weight
: small in size and weight
: less in amount or degree than usual
: not great or large
: not difficult to accept or bear : not harsh or severe
: slight or minor in degree or effect
opposite heavy
: not involving a lot of physical effort
opposite heavy
: not loud or forceful
opposite heavy
: not important or serious : intended mainly for entertainment opposite heavy
: not dense and thick
opposite heavy
: made with thin cloth and not very warm opposite heavy
: eating, drinking, or using a small amount of something
: producing a small amount of something
: not done often or in large amounts opposite heavy
: not having a large amount of food : not making your stomach feel full
: made with fewer calories or with less of some ingredient than usual
: not rich, dense, or thick opposite heavy
10 
: designed to carry a small load or few passengers
: not as large and powerful as other weapons, machines, etc.
of a group of soldiers : having fewer and smaller weapons and less armor than other groups but able to move quickly

light on

: having or using a small amount of (something)

light on your feet

: capable of moving in a quick and graceful way

light sleeper

: someone who wakes up easily

make light of

: to treat (something, such as a problem) in a joking way : to not be serious about (something important)
compare 2light

— lightness

/ˈlaɪtnəs/ noun [noncount]
5 light /ˈlaɪt/ adverb
lighter; lightest
5 light
/ˈlaɪt/
adverb
lighter; lightest
Britannica Dictionary definition of LIGHT

eat light

US
: to eat foods that will not cause you to gain weight

travel light

: to travel with little baggage