lighter

1 of 4

noun (1)

light·​er ˈlī-tər 

1

: a device for lighting a fire

especially : a mechanical or electrical device used for lighting cigarettes, cigars, or pipes

2

: one that lights or sets a fire

lighter

2 of 4

comparative of light entry 2, light entry 4, light entry 5

lighter

3 of 4

noun (2)

ligh·​ter ˈlī-tər 

: a large usually flat-bottomed barge used especially in unloading or loading ships

lighter

4 of 4

verb

lightered; lightering; lighters

transitive verb

: to convey by a lighter

Examples of lighter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Somewhere between the phone chargers and the lighters there is usually a small acrylic case at eye level. — Jesse M. Pines, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026

During one of those interactions, after a wildfire started on July 8, a Spokane police officer located Farinacci sitting on a rock by the road and Farinacci admitted to having lighters on him to smoke cannabis, the document said. — Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026

Officers reviewed surveillance footage from the store and observed Moreno taking two to three cigarette lighters. — Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 28 July 2026

Incense holders, lighters, bottle openers and trays are planned for spring 2027, as Wheeler works to develop a broader lifestyle world around her brand. — Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 23 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

Middle English, from Middle Dutch *lichter, from lichten to unload; akin to Old English lēoht light in weight

First Known Use

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1677, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing lighter

• lighter fluid
• lighter-than-air

Rhymes for lighter

• biter
• brighter
• fighter
• miter
• niter
• reiter
• righter
• slighter
• tighter
• titer
• titre
• whiter

Kids Definition

lighter

1 of 3 noun

ligh·​ter ˈlīt-ər 

: a large barge used especially in unloading or loading ships

lighter

2 of 3 verb

: to carry by a lighter

lighter

3 of 3 noun

light·​er

ˈlīt-ər

: one that lights

especially : a device for lighting

a cigarette lighter

Etymology

Noun

Middle English lighter "boat"; of Dutch origin

Noun

from ³light and -er