alight

1 of 2

verb

ə-ˈlīt 

alighted also alit ə-ˈlit  ; alighting

intransitive verb

1

: to come down from something (such as a vehicle): such as

a

: dismount

They alighted from the bus.

b

: deplane

2

: to descend from or as if from the air and come to rest : land, settle

The bird alighted on a branch.

snow alighting on a roof

3

archaic : to come by chance

alightment

ə-ˈlīt-mənt 

noun

alight

2 of 2

adjective

1

chiefly British : being on fire

2

: lighted up

The sky was alight with stars.

Synonyms

Verb

• land
• light
• perch
• roost
• settle
• touch down

Adjective

• ablaze
• bright
• brightened
• illuminated
• illumined
• light
• lightsome
• lit
• lighted

Examples of alight in a Sentence

Verb

A group of tourists alighted from the boat.

a flock of eight swans circled above, then alighted on the pond

Adjective

The sky was alight with stars.

Enemy soldiers set the building alight.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

On the day Moore announced her departure, Deadline’s runners and riders piece pointed to early speculation alighting on Phillips taking on the role and her frontrunner status appeared to have been cemented several weeks later. —Max Goldbart, Deadline, 18 June 2025

Set in Medieval England in the year 1348, the story alights on Lansley Abbey, a remote stone monastery in Yorkshire, which houses ten monks bound by a life of strict routine and devotion. —Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 17 May 2025

Adjective

The Cowboy Carter tour has been alight with big brands putting their spin on Bey’s glamorous cowgirl aesthetic. —Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 20 June 2025

Although no one knew anything for sure, social media was already alight with speculation; local police were on-site asking questions, and shortly after 8:00, rescue boats were spotted on the water, as a team of divers prepared to search for a body around the floor of the lake. —Calum Marsh, Rolling Stone, 14 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English alighten "to descend, get off (of), dismount," going back to Old English alīhtan (transitive) "to lighten, relieve," (intransitive) "to descend, get off (of)," from a-, perfective prefix + līhtan "to make lighter, descend, dismount" — more at abide, light entry 6

Adjective

Middle English alyht, alight, past participle of alighten "to set on fire, kindle, shed spiritual light on," going back to Old English alīhtan "to illuminate, light up," from a-, perfective prefix + līhtan "to shed light, set on fire" — more at abide, light entry 3

Note: In Modern English reanalyzed as a- entry 1 + light entry 1, by analogy with ablaze, afire, aflame.

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing alight

• alight on/upon
• set the world alight

Rhymes for alight

• affright
• airtight
• albite
• alright
• aplite
• aright
• bainite
• birthright
• bobwhite
• bornite
• bullfight
• calcite

Kids Definition

alight

1 of 2 verb

ə-ˈlīt 

alighted

-ˈlīt-əd

also alit ə-ˈlit  ; alighting

1

: to get down : dismount

2

: to descend from the air and settle : land

the bird alighted on a twig

alight

2 of 2 adjective

: full of light : lighted up

the sky was alight with stars