lighter

CEFRB1

/ˈlaɪtɚ/

noun · adjective

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    noun

    A small device used to make a flame.

  2. 02

    adjective

    Less heavy or less dark than something else.

Examples

  • Sir, you have left your lighter on the table.

  • Have you got a lighter?

At a glance

Sits at B1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
2
Citations
5

Also pronounced

  • [ˈlaɪɾɚ]

Deep Dive

noun

Extra meanings

  1. A device used to light things, especially a reusable handheld device for creating fire to light cigarettes.

  2. A flat-bottomed boat for carrying heavy loads across short distances (especially for canals or for loading or unloading larger boats).

  3. A person who lights things.

More examples

In context

  • It is getting lighter outside.

  • Cigarette in mouth, he clutched his pockets in search of a lighter.

  • 1900. Report of the Commission Appointed by the President to Investigate the Conduct of the War Department in the War with Spain. Vol. 7, pg. 3227. Troops and stores were lightered to the wharves inside the harbor by steamers Orizaba and Berkshire.

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

He took out a blank to light the candle.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

noun

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”).