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
Trump has managed to bring up grass at events as varied as the signing of an executive order on TikTok and the 2025 White House celebration of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. — ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026 Protecting pilot vision A nuclear weapon produces an intense burst of thermal and visible light within fractions of a second after detonation. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Aug. 2026
Adjective
Prioritizing light blockage and easy installation, the no-drill setup was a key attraction. — Scott Kramer, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 The fantasy action series is adapted from the light novel by Minamino Umikaze, illustrated by Katana Canata and Jishaku. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026
Verb
When the sign was illuminated Thursday, part of one side displayed a purple strip and appeared unevenly lit. — Tyler Quattrin, Twin Cities, 7 Aug. 2026 Harbaugh lit one more friendly fire under his team at the end of Thursday’s jog-through practice. — Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 6 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
  • Iron emits a golden yellow, nitrogen and oxygen glow red, sodium appears orange, and calcium looks violet.
    — Michael J. Caduto, Hartford Courant, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The clinking of pints, the warmth of friendship, and the glow of pride in service filled the air.
    — Joanne Shurvell, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of glow
Noun
  • Original art deco lamps adorn the indoor movie theater, which also has sconces from the Empire State Building, according to House Beautiful.
    — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 6 Aug. 2026
  • The malfunction may prevent affected vehicles from meeting federal safety standards, as turn signals, hazard lamps and warning chimes could be disabled, Toyota said, adding the risk of injury or a crash increases depending on the defect’s scale.
    — Ty Roush, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of lamp
Noun
  • Tim Graef's golden retriever, River, could have been a star in the new film, but didn't make it past the application process.
    — Marissa Sulek, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Her work continued below the arc, scoring against 6-6 star Jonquel Jones and the much taller 6-11 Han Xu.
    — Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of star
Noun
  • The spacious porch faces the water and delivers show-stopping sunrise views.
    — Elise Taylor, Vogue, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Shot on location in Alberta, Canada, the blooming grasslands, breathtaking sunrises, glistening rivers and immense mountaintops are characters in their own right, often pulling audiences in when the storyline itself is drastically lacking.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of sunrise
Adjective
  • That includes the lightweight main event between Mateusz Gamrot and the fast-rising Quillan Salkilld.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The antenna is extremely lightweight, and the team miniaturized it to be both the right size and shape to fit the tiny helicopters, which sit just 6 inches (15 centimeters) above the ground at rest.
    — Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of lightweight
Adjective
  • The shampoo makes my hair feel squeaky clean and refreshed without stripping my hair and the conditioner makes my hair feel glassy and smooth like butter.
    — Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Venus enters Libra and your 3rd House of Communication, helping conversations feel smoother, warmer, and more persuasive.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of smooth
Adjective
  • But banking on him is also a risk given his poor performance earlier this season, and the sparse starting depth behind him.
    — Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
  • In the warm, nutrient-poor waters of the central Pacific where food is sparse, atolls are like bustling cafés.
    — NPR, NPR, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of sparse
Adjective
  • Memories of a childhood marked by economic hardship and abuse intertwine with the natural world in this graceful début memoir, which is structured around the author’s seven-year project of walking every street in Santa Cruz County, in California.
    — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The good news is that Venus in Libra can improve professional visibility, making negotiations and professional opportunities all the more graceful and prosperous.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 1 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 11 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of light for Spanish Speakers

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