light 1 of 5

noun

ˈlīt How to pronounce light (audio)
Definition of lightnext
1
as in glow
the steady giving off of the form of radiation that makes vision possible he read poetry to her by the light of the moon

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2
as in lamp
something that provides illumination turn off the light when you go to bed

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3
as in star
a person who is widely known and usually much talked about a leading light in the acting profession

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4
as in sunrise
the first appearance of light in the morning or the time of its appearance with the coming of light we could see all the damage that the storm had caused

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light

2 of 5

adjective (1)

1
as in lightweight
having little weight It was no problem carrying the suitcase up the stairs since it was light.

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2
as in smooth
involving minimal difficulty or effort a little light work was all it took to straighten up the room

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3
as in sparse
less plentiful than what is normal, necessary, or desirable traffic on the highway seems to be very light today

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4
as in graceful
moving easily the dancer was exceptionally light on her feet

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5
as in gentle
not harsh or stern especially in nature or effect light punishment to fit a minor offense

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6
as in fluffy
resembling air in lightness the waves had an especially light foam at their crests because of the strong breeze

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light

3 of 5

adjective (2)

1
as in illuminated
filled with much light the light, airy room is exceptionally cheerful

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2
as in faded
lacking intensity of color we painted the walls a light blue

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3
as in pale
of light complexion her light skin tends to freckle easily in the sun

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light

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verb (1)

1
as in to burn
to set (something) on fire we lit the kindling before adding the heavier logs

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2
as in to illumine
to supply with light the lights from the TV cameras will light this room as though it were high noon

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light

5 of 5

verb (2)

1
as in to perch
to come to rest after descending from the air the bird lit on the branch and began to sing

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2
as in to descend
to come down from something (as a vehicle) he hurriedly lighted from the bus and started walking up the street

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective light contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of light are easy, effortless, facile, simple, and smooth. While all these words mean "not demanding effort or involving difficulty," light stresses freedom from what is burdensome.

a light teaching load

When is easy a more appropriate choice than light?

In some situations, the words easy and light are roughly equivalent. However, easy is applicable either to persons or things imposing tasks or to activity required by such tasks.

an easy college course

When is it sensible to use effortless instead of light?

The words effortless and light can be used in similar contexts, but effortless stresses the appearance of ease and usually implies the prior attainment of artistry or expertness.

moving with effortless grace

How do facile and easy relate to one another, in the sense of light?

Facile often adds to easy the connotation of undue haste or shallowness.

facile answers to complex questions

When could simple be used to replace light?

The synonyms simple and light are sometimes interchangeable, but simple stresses ease in understanding or dealing with because complication is absent.

a simple problem in arithmetic

Where would smooth be a reasonable alternative to light?

Although the words smooth and light have much in common, smooth stresses the absence or removal of all difficulties, hardships, or obstacles.

a smooth ride

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of light
Noun
Those stars would only be visible during a total solar eclipse, when the moon blocks out the sun's bright light. — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Additionally, using higher-frequency ultraviolet light, scientists are able to create larger energy jumps and measure them more frequently, allowing time tracking in much finer increments, thereby increasing precision. — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 21 Aug. 2026
Adjective
During that time, sound and light levels will be reduced at the Kidway and Mighty Midway. — Nick Lunemann, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026 With a lighter schedule, though, this year’s group projects as a suitable foundation for Sumrall’s rebuild. — Noah White, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2026
Verb
But the functions of what happens on a normal set, where there have to be bounce boards to light back up people’s faces, and all that stuff, that’s all designed into the set as well. — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 18 Aug. 2026 The team also built a softbox enclosure, which was the size of an entire stage in order to properly light the scene. — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for light
Recent Examples of Synonyms for light
  1. glow
  2. lamp
  3. star
  4. sunrise
  5. lightweight
  6. smooth
  7. sparse
  8. graceful
Noun
  • Under the glow of the coastal sun, past and present begin to quietly overlap.
    — Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Sunlight bent and filtered through Earth's atmosphere leaks into the shadow, carrying the red-orange glow of every sunrise and sunset around the world.
    — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of glow
Noun
  • The flourishes are eclectic and include octopus lamps, tiger scatter cushions, bird cage hangings, and vintage Louis Vuitton chests alongside bookshelves stacked with some interesting reading options.
    — Megan Wilkes, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The custom bed is upholstered in a Dedar silk print, the nightstand is from Christopher Cawley Antiques and the lamp is from Colonia Antiques.
    — Sara Ruffin Costello, Architectural Digest, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of lamp
Noun
  • The one-time child star had spoken openly about navigating addiction and postpartum depression in her adult life, documenting those struggles as well as the painful loss of her brother in a memoir released this year.
    — Holly Yan, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
  • In the book, the star detailed her prolific and sometimes difficult career in show business; growing up under the harsh light of Hollywood; and the highs and lows of filming hit TV shows like Heroes and Nashville, and more.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of star
Noun
  • Sunlight bent and filtered through Earth's atmosphere leaks into the shadow, carrying the red-orange glow of every sunrise and sunset around the world.
    — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Observed from lower latitudes, the orbital parade of satellites would peak in brightness at sunrise and sunset; toward the poles, the constellations would be bright and visible for most of the night during winter and the equinoxes.
    — Arielle Frommer, Scientific American, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of sunrise
Adjective
  • The four women are cardboard-cutout archetypes, played in amiable lightweight fashion.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 22 Aug. 2026
  • If your hair is feeling dry, hairstylist Kee Taylor recommends smoothing a lightweight oil through the midlengths and ends to improve manageability and shine.
    — Marci Robin, Allure, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of lightweight
Adjective
  • This is the one to look at when the ride involves more than smooth campus pavement.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Blend until smooth; taste and season with more salt if needed.
    — Emma Laperruque, Bon Appetit Magazine, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of smooth
Adjective
  • Even within the sparse and widely untouched sector, CBP is not beginning from zero.
    — Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Those funds have grown ever sparser as the administration of new President Jose Antonio Kast, who took office in March, has announced cuts to the Ministry of Culture and various competitive funds for the Arts.
    — Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of sparse
Adjective
  • For anyone building toward a finer piece, a moissanite tennis necklace offers a graceful starting point.
    — Pooja Mistry, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The rhyme between her graceful form and the sculpture’s anatomy underscores the clip’s unmistakably erotic frisson.
    — Ara H. Merjian, ARTnews.com, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of graceful

Phrases Containing light

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ligatures
light
light bulb
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Cite this Entry

“Light.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/light. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on light

Nglish: Translation of light for Spanish Speakers

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