Very light

noun

Ve·ry light ˈver-ē-

ˈvir-ē-

: a pyrotechnic signal in a system of signaling using white or colored balls of fire projected from a special pistol

Word History

Etymology

Edward W. Very †1910 American naval officer

First Known Use

1917, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of Very light was in 1917

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Very light.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Very%20light. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster

Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

tantalize

Listen to the pronunciation of tantalize

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

Using Bullet Points ( • )

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Popular in Wordplay

Ten Painless Ways to Improve Your Vocabulary

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

Our Best Historical Slang Terms

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

12 Words Whose History Will Surprise You

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Ten Painless Ways to Improve Your Vocabulary

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language