Lighter Meaning
/ˈlaɪtɚ/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA person who lights things.
nounA device used to light things, especially a reusable handheld device for creating fire to light cigarettes.
Sentence Examples
It is getting lighter outside.
Have you got a lighter?
Sir, you have left your lighter on the table.
CEFR Practice Quiz
He took out a ____ to light the candle.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
He used a small ____ to start the fire in the fireplace, as he could not find any matches in the house.
Word Origin & History
From light (“to ignite”) + -er. Cognate with Middle Dutch lichtere, lichter (“one who spreads light, illuminator”), Dutch lichter, luchter (“candle-holder, chandelier”). Compare also Middle English lightnere, liȝtnere (“one who enlightens or illuminates”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"It is, of course, possible to work only to or from lighters in this way, and such working is not very general in this country, although a certain amount of such overside work is carried on in enclosed docks."
— 1945 January and February, T. F. Cameron, “Dock Working”, in Railway Magazine, page 9:
"Beyond the station an extension descends at 1 in 30, the steepest gradient on the line, to Government Wharf, where cargo is lightered to and from ships at anchor in the harbour."
— 1960 April 26, H. P. White, “The Railways of Sierra Leone”, in Railway Magazine, page 233:
"The way the glare from our engine firehole pulsated, reflecting continuously in the steam, combined with our achievement in keeping level with the lighter train until our metals parted at Wilton, provided another lasting memory."
— 1955 April, W. J. Alcock, “Unforgettable Moments”, in Railway Magazine, page 271:
"It is lighter to handle and more manoeuvrable, and its three caged sides with web straps on the fourth prevent movement of the contents."
— 1964 May, “News and Comment: WR's new parcel traffic method”, in Modern Railways, page 300:
"For example, lightweight construction and Jacobs bogies save weight, and a lighter train uses less power."
— 2021 May 19, David Clough, “Swiss precision meets UK growth”, in RAIL, number 931, page 57:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
He took out a ____ to light the candle.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
He used a small ____ to start the fire in the fireplace, as he could not find any matches in the house.