light
light — verb
1. to put a flame to something so that it begins to burn, or for an object to begin
to put a flame to something so that it begins to burn, or for an object to begin burning by itself.
Grandpa lit the candles on the birthday cake with a long match.
light + [object] with [tool]
The dry leaves lit easily once the wind picked up in the garden.
intransitive: [object] + lights (begins to burn)
Maria struck a match and lit the gas stove before cooking dinner.
He stepped outside the bar to light a cigarette in the cold rain.
The campers lit a small fire to cook beans and stay warm.
- ignite
more formal or technical; common in writing about engines or fuels
- kindle
literary; usually for starting a fire from small materials like twigs
- set fire to
phrasal; often suggests intentional or harmful burning
- extinguish
formal; to make a flame stop burning
- put out
everyday phrasal verb for stopping a flame
文法句型
light + [object]
[object] + lights
用法筆記
Past tense and past participle are both 'lit' in everyday use; 'lighted' also exists but is far less common. Object is usually a flame-bearing thing: candle, match, cigarette, fire, stove.
常見錯誤
2. to send light onto a place or thing so that people can see it clearly, often usi
to send light onto a place or thing so that people can see it clearly, often using lamps, candles, or other light sources.
Hundreds of small lanterns lit the narrow streets of the old town.
light + [place]
The stage was lit by warm yellow lamps during the school play.
passive: be lit by [light source]
A single candle lit the small wooden table where Anna was reading.
Bright fireworks lit the sky above the harbor on New Year's Eve.
- illuminate
more formal; common in writing about buildings, monuments, or art
- light up
phrasal; very common in everyday speech for the same meaning
- brighten
suggests an increase in existing light, not creating it from darkness
- darken
to make a place less bright
文法句型
light + [place / object]
be lit by [light source]
用法筆記
Frequently passive ('be lit by…'). Subject is typically a light source (lamp, candle, fireworks, sun); object is a place or surface. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is about brightness, not about starting a flame.
常見錯誤
light — noun
1. the natural or artificial brightness, given off by things like the sun, a flame,
the natural or artificial brightness, given off by things like the sun, a flame, or an electric bulb, that lets your eyes see what is around you.
Bright sunlight streamed through the kitchen window onto the breakfast table.
noun phrase as subject describing source of light
There wasn't enough light in the cave for Anna to read the map.
collocation: enough light / not enough light
The painting looks completely different in natural light.
Light travels much faster than sound through the air.
A warm yellow light filled the small wooden chapel at sunset.
- brightness
more about the level or intensity than the phenomenon itself
- illumination
more formal; often used about lighting in buildings or art
- glow
softer, warmer light, often from a small source
文法句型
light from + [source]
in the light
用法筆記
Uncountable in this sense. Frequently appears with adjectives describing colour or quality (warm, soft, bright, dim) and with prepositional phrases naming the source ('light from the moon').
常見錯誤
2. a lamp, bulb, or other device that you switch on so it gives off brightness in a
a lamp, bulb, or other device that you switch on so it gives off brightness in a room, on a street, or on a vehicle.
Please turn off the lights before you leave the office.
collocation: turn on / turn off the lights
Mia hung tiny white lights along the balcony for the party.
One of the lights above the stairs has stopped working again.
The driver flashed his lights to warn us about the sharp bend.
Street lights came on as the sky grew darker over the harbour.
文法句型
turn on/off the light
switch the light on/off
用法筆記
Countable in this sense, often used in the plural for a set of lamps (street lights, Christmas lights, headlights). Compounds are very common: 'street light', 'desk light', 'fairy lights'.
常見錯誤
3. a coloured signal at a road junction (red for stop, amber for caution, green for
a coloured signal at a road junction (red for stop, amber for caution, green for go) that controls when drivers and cyclists may move.
Turn left at the next set of lights and the school is straight ahead.
collocation: at the lights / at the next set of lights
The taxi driver went through a red light and almost hit a cyclist.
collocation: go through a red light
We waited at the lights for over a minute in heavy morning traffic.
The lights changed to green just as Daniel reached the crossing.
- traffic lights
the most common full form
- stoplight
American English, usually singular
- signal
more technical or official, used in road-safety writing
文法句型
at the lights
go through a red light
用法筆記
Almost always used in the plural ('the lights') even when referring to a single junction. Often appears as 'traffic lights' for clarity, or simply 'the lights' once context is clear.
常見錯誤
4. a match, lighter, or other small flame that you use to start a cigarette or cand
a match, lighter, or other small flame that you use to start a cigarette or candle burning.
Excuse me, have you got a light for my cigarette?
informal register: 'have you got a light?'
Tom searched his pockets for a light to start the campfire.
She asked the man at the next table for a light.
Without a light, we couldn't get the candles on the cake going.
文法句型
have you got a light?
ask for a light
用法筆記
Informal and often appears in the fixed question 'Have you got a light?' when asking a stranger for a flame. Treated as countable, almost always singular.
常見錯誤
5. in fixed phrases like 'set light to' or 'put a light to', the act of making some
in fixed phrases like 'set light to' or 'put a light to', the act of making something catch fire and burn.
Vandals set light to a row of bins behind the supermarket last night.
fixed phrase: set light to + [object]
The old farmer put a light to the dry leaves at the edge of the field.
fixed phrase: put a light to + [object]
Be careful not to set light to the curtains with that candle.
Someone had set light to a pile of newspapers in the alley.
- set fire to
the more common, neutral equivalent in both varieties
- ignite
more formal or technical
- put out
the opposite action: to stop something burning
文法句型
set light to + [object]
put a light to + [object]
用法筆記
Mainly British and largely confined to the fixed expressions 'set light to' and 'put a light to'. American English usually says 'set fire to' instead.
常見錯誤
6. the lungs of a sheep, pig, or other animal, prepared and cooked as food, often u
the lungs of a sheep, pig, or other animal, prepared and cooked as food, often used in traditional dishes or as pet food.
The butcher sold sheep's lights cheaply for use in old country recipes.
collocation: sheep's / pig's lights
My grandmother used to boil lights and onions for the farm dogs.
Traditional haggis contains lights, heart, and liver mixed with oats.
Some old cookbooks suggest stewing pig's lights with carrots and herbs.
用法筆記
Always plural in this sense and now rare in everyday speech. Mostly seen in older recipes, butchery contexts, and discussions of traditional British dishes such as haggis.
7. a look that briefly shows in someone's eyes and hints at an emotion or thought,
a look that briefly shows in someone's eyes and hints at an emotion or thought, such as joy, anger, or curiosity.
A mischievous light came into Sophie's eyes when her brother walked in.
a [adj] light came into [someone]'s eyes
The teacher saw a bright light in Marco's eyes as he solved the puzzle.
saw a [adj] light in [someone]'s eyes
There was a strange light in his father's eyes that worried him.
Anna noticed a soft light in her grandmother's eyes when they talked about home.
A cold light entered the judge's eyes before he gave his decision.
文法句型
a [adj] light in someone's eyes
用法筆記
Almost always paired with an adjective describing the feeling (mischievous, strange, soft, cold) and the phrase 'in/into someone's eyes'. Mostly used in literary or descriptive writing.
常見錯誤
8. a small window, glass panel, or other opening in a wall or roof that lets daylig
a small window, glass panel, or other opening in a wall or roof that lets daylight enter a room.
The old chapel has narrow lights along the south wall to brighten the altar.
narrow lights along [a wall]
Builders cut a small light into the roof above the kitchen sink.
cut a light into [a roof]
Each room had two tall lights facing the garden.
The architect added a round light above the front door.
文法句型
a light in [a wall/roof]
用法筆記
Technical use in architecture, building, and stained-glass contexts. In ordinary speech, learners should use 'window' or 'skylight' instead.
常見錯誤
9. the way a person, action, or situation seems to others — usually positive or neg
the way a person, action, or situation seems to others — usually positive or negative — depending on how it is described or viewed.
The new evidence put Daniel's actions in a very different light.
put [something] in a [adj] light
Reporters tried to show the mayor in a bad light during the campaign.
show [someone] in a bad light
After her speech, voters began to see the policy in a more positive light.
The documentary cast the company's history in a troubling light.
Don't paint your sister in a bad light just because you are angry with her.
- perspective
a viewpoint that shapes how something is judged; less idiomatic
- aspect
one particular side of a situation rather than its overall impression
- angle
informal; the chosen way of presenting a story or fact
文法句型
see/put/cast something in a [adj] light
in a [adj] light
用法筆記
Almost always appears in the fixed pattern 'in a + [adjective] + light' with verbs like 'see', 'put', 'show', 'cast', or 'paint'. The adjective (good, bad, positive, different, new) carries the real meaning.
常見錯誤
light — adjective
1. easy to lift, carry, or move because the weight is small.
easy to lift, carry, or move because the weight is small.
Anaya picked up the empty suitcase and noticed how light it felt.
predicative use after 'feel'
Aluminium is a very light metal, so factories use it for aircraft parts.
attributive: light + metal/material
Please pack a light bag if we are walking up the mountain tomorrow.
The baby birds were so light that they barely bent the thin branch.
This new laptop is much lighter than the one I used last year.
- lightweight
often describes products designed to be easy to carry
- weightless
stronger; suggests almost no weight at all
- portable
focuses on being easy to move around, not just on weight
- heavy
the standard opposite for weight
文法句型
light + noun
feel/be + light
用法筆記
Often paired with size words like 'small', 'thin', or 'compact' to stress easy handling. Distinguish from sense 2 (clothing/material): sense 1 is about total weight, sense 2 is about how thin the fabric is.
常見錯誤
2. (of clothes or fabric) made from thin material so that the wearer stays cool in
(of clothes or fabric) made from thin material so that the wearer stays cool in warm weather.
Hannah wore a light cotton dress to the beach picnic on Saturday.
collocation: light cotton/linen + clothing item
Pack a light jacket for the evening, but leave your wool coat at home.
In Taipei summers, most people prefer light shirts and short trousers.
These running shorts are made of a light fabric that dries very quickly.
- thin
describes the fabric directly, not the wearer's experience
- summery
suggests bright colours and warm-weather style, not just thinness
- breathable
focuses on letting air through; common in sportswear
文法句型
light + clothing noun
用法筆記
Subject is usually a piece of clothing or a fabric type (cotton, linen, silk). Often contrasted with 'heavy' or 'thick' clothes worn in winter.
常見錯誤
3. having plenty of daylight, so that you can see things clearly without turning a
having plenty of daylight, so that you can see things clearly without turning a lamp on.
It was already light when David's alarm clock rang at five in the morning.
impersonal pattern: it + be + light
We chose this flat because the kitchen is bright and very light.
predicative: a room is light
The sky stays light until almost ten o'clock during a Scottish summer.
Open the curtains to make the bedroom feel a little lighter, please.
文法句型
it + be + light
light + room/space
用法筆記
Often used in the impersonal pattern 'it is/gets light' to talk about sunrise. Distinguish from sense 4 ('PALE'): sense 3 is about how much daylight a place has, sense 4 is about colour shade.
常見錯誤
4. (used before a colour) closer to white than to black; not deep or strong in shad
(used before a colour) closer to white than to black; not deep or strong in shade.
Sophie painted her bedroom walls a soft, light blue last weekend.
pattern: light + colour
He was wearing a light green shirt and dark jeans at the party.
My grandmother has light grey hair and warm brown eyes.
The cafe walls are light pink, which makes the room feel friendly.
文法句型
light + colour word
light + noun (of an item with that colour)
用法筆記
Comes immediately before a colour word to make a paler version of it. Cannot be used alone to describe a colour: say 'light blue', not just 'light' to describe paint.
常見錯誤
5. (of books, films, or music) fun and easy to follow, without difficult ideas or h
(of books, films, or music) fun and easy to follow, without difficult ideas or heavy emotions.
Olivia packed a couple of light novels for her flight to Bangkok.
collocation: light novel/reading
After a long week, Tom prefers light comedies to serious dramas.
contrast pattern: light vs serious
The cafe plays light jazz in the background while customers chat.
Her speech kept the tone light and funny, even though the topic was sad.
- easy
wider; can describe many activities, not just media
- lighthearted
stresses cheerful mood more than easy content
- fluffy
informal; sometimes slightly negative, suggesting little depth
文法句型
light + reading/music/comedy/entertainment
用法筆記
Often contrasted with 'serious', 'heavy', or 'deep' when talking about books, films, music, or conversation. Common collocates: 'reading', 'novel', 'comedy', 'music', 'tone', 'mood'.
常見錯誤
6. in the fixed phrase 'make light of something', to act as though a problem or wor
in the fixed phrase 'make light of something', to act as though a problem or worry is small and not worth bothering about.
Daniel made light of his injury, but the doctor said he needed surgery.
fixed phrase: make light of + noun
Please don't make light of the safety rules; they protect every worker here.
Reporters accused the minister of making light of the flood victims' losses.
She tried to make light of her bad exam results by joking with her friends.
- trivialise
more formal; common in news writing
- downplay
neutral; means presenting something as smaller than it is
- dismiss
stronger; suggests refusing to take something seriously at all
- take seriously
the most natural opposite phrase
- exaggerate
the opposite direction: making something seem bigger
文法句型
make light of + something
用法筆記
Almost always appears in 'make light of'. Often sounds critical: the speaker thinks the person is wrongly treating something serious as a joke. Object is usually a problem, mistake, or other person's feelings.
常見錯誤
7. small in degree, force, or quantity — for example, a gentle wind, a soft tap on
small in degree, force, or quantity — for example, a gentle wind, a soft tap on the door, or only a small amount of rain.
A light breeze moved the curtains in Mia's bedroom that afternoon.
collocation: light breeze / light wind / light rain
Tom felt a light tap on his shoulder and turned around quickly.
collocation: light tap / light touch / light pressure
Traffic was light on Sunday morning, so we reached the airport early.
Only light snow fell in the village last night, so the roads stayed clear.
She gave the door a light push, and it swung open by itself.
用法筆記
Frequently used before nouns naming weather, sounds, or physical contact (rain, wind, snow, tap, push, touch). Distinguish from sense 12 (NOT SEVERE), which describes tasks or punishments rather than physical force.
常見錯誤
8. describes a person who only eats, drinks, or smokes a small amount — for example
describes a person who only eats, drinks, or smokes a small amount — for example, a light eater who never finishes a full plate.
Grandpa is a light eater and usually leaves half his rice on the plate.
collocation: light eater / light drinker / light smoker
As a light drinker, Jamal orders one small glass of wine and stops there.
collocation: light drinker
My uncle is a light smoker — maybe two cigarettes a week at most.
Children who are light eaters often need smaller meals served more often.
用法筆記
Almost always used before the nouns 'eater', 'drinker', or 'smoker'. Rarely stands alone — you say 'She is a light eater', not 'She eats light'.
常見錯誤
9. describes sleep that is easy to disturb, or a sleeper whom small sounds wake up
describes sleep that is easy to disturb, or a sleeper whom small sounds wake up — for example, someone who hears every footstep in the hallway.
Anna is such a light sleeper that the cat's footsteps wake her up.
collocation: light sleeper / light sleep
I had a light sleep last night and heard every car pass on the street.
collocation: a light sleep
Babies often fall into a light sleep and wake at the smallest sound.
Because Mark is a light sleeper, his wife tiptoes around the bedroom each morning.
- restless
stresses moving and not resting well
用法筆記
Used mainly with 'sleeper' or 'sleep'. The opposite is 'heavy sleeper' — someone who can sleep through loud noises.
常見錯誤
10. describes a meal or snack that contains a small portion and does not feel heavy
describes a meal or snack that contains a small portion and does not feel heavy in the stomach — for example, a salad or a piece of toast before bed.
We had a light lunch of soup and bread before the long meeting.
collocation: light lunch / light meal / light snack
After her dance class, Lucy prefers a light snack such as fruit or yogurt.
collocation: light snack
The hotel serves a light breakfast of toast, jam, and coffee on the terrace.
Doctors suggest a light dinner if you plan to go to sleep within two hours.
用法筆記
Common before meal nouns: 'light lunch', 'light dinner', 'light snack', 'light breakfast'. On product labels, 'light' can also signal lower calories or fat.
常見錯誤
11. describes an alcoholic drink that has a mild taste or low alcohol level — for ex
describes an alcoholic drink that has a mild taste or low alcohol level — for example, a pale beer or a delicate white wine.
Daniel ordered a light beer because he had to drive home after dinner.
collocation: light beer / light wine
This light white wine goes well with grilled fish on a summer evening.
collocation: light wine
The bar serves a light, fruity cocktail that tastes more like juice than alcohol.
Many guests at the wedding chose a light beer over the stronger local ales.
- strong
high in alcohol or bold in flavour
- full-bodied
wine term for rich and heavy taste
用法筆記
Often appears on drink labels and menus to flag lower alcohol or a softer flavour. Distinguish from sense 10 (food): a 'light beer' is mild, while a 'light meal' is small.
常見錯誤
12. not serious, severe, or causing much trouble — used about an injury, illness, we
not serious, severe, or causing much trouble — used about an injury, illness, weather event, or remark — for example, a small cut on the finger or a short, gentle shower of rain.
Mr. Chen had only a light injury after slipping on the kitchen floor.
collocation: light injury
Sara stayed home with a light cold and was back at school the next day.
collocation: light cold / light fever
The storm caused only light damage to the roof tiles above the kitchen.
The teacher took the boys' jokes as light teasing, not real bullying.
By morning the heavy rain had become a light shower over the village.
用法筆記
Pairs with nouns for problems that are minor in scale or harm: 'injury', 'cold', 'damage', 'shower', 'teasing'. Distinguish from sense 13 (MILD PUNISHMENT), which is reserved for sentences, fines, and other legal penalties; and from sense 7 (NOT MUCH), which describes physical force or amount rather than seriousness.
常見錯誤
13. less harsh or shorter than people might expect; used about a punishment, prison
less harsh or shorter than people might expect; used about a punishment, prison term, or fine that is not severe.
The judge gave Marco a surprisingly light sentence of six months.
collocation: light sentence
Many readers felt the fine was too light for such a serious crime.
predicative: the fine was light
First-time offenders often receive a lighter punishment than repeat criminals.
The young driver got off with a light penalty after pleading guilty.
Critics said the two-year term was light given the damage caused.
文法句型
a light + sentence/punishment/fine
用法筆記
Subject is always a legal punishment: sentence, fine, penalty, prison term. Often appears in the phrase 'get off lightly / with a light penalty'. Distinguish from sense 12 (NOT SEVERE), which covers minor injuries, illnesses, weather, or remarks — never legal punishments.
常見錯誤
14. able to be finished with very little effort or time; mostly used in the fixed ph
able to be finished with very little effort or time; mostly used in the fixed phrase 'make light work of something' to say someone handled a task quickly and without trouble.
Two strong volunteers made light work of moving the piano upstairs.
fixed phrase: make light work of [task]
The hungry children made light work of the bowl of pasta.
make light work of + food
With the new software, Anna made light work of the monthly report.
The champion made light work of his first opponent, winning in two sets.
- easy
the everyday word for tasks that need little effort
- effortless
stronger; suggests no effort at all
- quick
focuses on speed rather than difficulty
文法句型
make light work of + noun
用法筆記
Almost always appears in 'make light work of + noun'. Outside this phrase, native speakers usually choose 'easy' or 'quick' instead. Different from sense 13: this sense describes effort, not a punishment.