/laɪt/
Origin: Germanic Old English suffix
Light has 57 different meanings across 5 categories:
Noun · Verb · Adjective · Adverb · Proper Noun
(physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
"the light was filtered through a soft glass window"
any device serving as a source of illumination
"he stopped the car and turned off the lights"
a particular perspective or aspect of a situation
"although he saw it in a different light, he still did not understand"
the quality of being luminous; emitting or reflecting light
"its luminosity is measured relative to that of our sun"
mental understanding as an enlightening experience
"he finally saw the light"
"can you shed light on this problem?"
a divine presence believed by Quakers to enlighten and guide the soul
"She sat quietly in meditation, seeking the inner light that guides her conscience."
a visual warning signal
"they saw the light of the beacon"
"there was a light at every corner"
Visible electromagnetic radiation. The human eye can typically detect radiation (light) in the wavelength range of about 400 to 750 nanometers. Nearby shorter and longer wavelength ranges, although not visible, are commonly called ultraviolet and infrared light.
"The pitcher threw a light ball over the plate, allowing the batter to tap it easily into left field."
A stone that is not thrown hard enough.
In plain English: Light is the natural energy that comes from the sun and lets you see things around you.
Usage: The everyday noun light refers to visible radiation or illumination, whereas a stone not thrown hard enough is specifically called a skittle. Use the word light only when describing brightness, weight, or color in standard contexts.
make lighter or brighter
"This lamp lightens the room a bit"
To start (a fire).
"I didn't plan to stop at that bakery, but I lit upon a delicious-looking croissant while walking home from work."
To unload a ship, or to jettison material to make it lighter
To find by chance.
In plain English: To light something means to set it on fire or make it glow by adding fuel.
"She decided to light the candle on her birthday cake."
Usage: Do not use "light" to mean "find by chance," as this is an archaic or poetic usage that rarely appears in modern conversation. Instead, reserve the verb "light" for actions involving fire, such as lighting a candle, or for making something less heavy, like lightening a load.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
"a light load"
"magnesium is a light metal--having a specific gravity of 1.74 at 20 degrees C"
(used of color) having a relatively small amount of coloring agent
"light blue"
"light colors such as pastels"
"a light-colored powder"
of the military or industry; using (or being) relatively small or light arms or equipment
"light infantry"
"light cavalry"
"light industry"
"light weapons"
not great in degree or quantity or number
"a light sentence"
"a light accent"
"casualties were light"
"light snow was falling"
"light misty rain"
"light smoke from the chimney"
characterized by or emitting light
"a room that is light when the shutters are open"
"the inside of the house was airy and light"
(used of vowels or syllables) pronounced with little or no stress
"a syllable that ends in a short vowel is a light syllable"
"a weak stress on the second syllable"
(physics, chemistry) not having atomic weight greater than average
"light water is ordinary water"
weak and likely to lose consciousness
"suddenly felt faint from the pain"
"was sick and faint from hunger"
"felt light in the head"
"a swooning fit"
"light-headed with wine"
"light-headed from lack of sleep"
marked by temperance in indulgence
"abstemious with the use of adverbs"
"a light eater"
"a light smoker"
"ate a light supper"
having relatively few calories
"diet cola"
"light (or lite) beer"
"lite (or light) mayonnaise"
"a low-cal diet"
Having light; bright; clear; not dark or obscure.
"She chose the light suitcase for her trip because it was easy to carry up the narrow stairs."
Having little or relatively little actual weight; not cumbrous or unwieldy.
In plain English: Light means having little weight or being easy to lift and carry.
"The light in the room was too bright to read by."
Usage: Use "light" to describe an object that has little physical weight, such as a feather or a portable chair. Do not use it to mean bright or illuminated, as those contexts require the adjective "bright."
Carrying little.
"I carried my groceries home in a light paper bag that barely weighed anything."
In plain English: To do something lightly means to treat it without being too serious or strict about it.
"The sun is rising and the room is slowly getting lighter."
Usage: Use "light" as an adverb to describe carrying or moving with little weight, such as when you say someone carried the box light rather than heavily. It typically modifies verbs related to lifting, holding, or walking to indicate a lack of burden.
A surname.
"My neighbor, Mr. Light, always greets us with a warm smile on his way to work."
The word "light" comes from Old English lēoht, which traces its roots back to a Proto-Indo-European term meaning "to shine." It entered Middle English with essentially the same meaning it holds today.