lighter

1 of 3

noun (1)

ligh·​ter ˈlī-tər How to pronounce lighter (audio)
Synonyms of lighternext
: a large usually flat-bottomed barge used especially in unloading or loading ships

lighter

2 of 3

verb

lightered; lightering; lighters

transitive verb

: to convey by a lighter

lighter

3 of 3

noun (2)

light·​er ˈlī-tər How to pronounce lighter (audio)
1
: one that lights or sets a fire
2
: a device for lighting a fire
especially : a mechanical or electrical device used for lighting cigarettes, cigars, or pipes

Examples of lighter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
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 See All Example Sentences for lighter

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

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

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1677, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of lighter was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing lighter

Rhymes for lighter

See All Rhymes for lighter

Browse Nearby Words

light equation
lighter
lighterage
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lighter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lighter. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

lighter

1 of 3 noun
ligh·​ter ˈlīt-ər How to pronounce lighter (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on lighter

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for lighter

Nglish: Translation of lighter for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lighter

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