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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lamp
something that provides illumination turn off the light when you go to bed

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in star
a person who is widely known and usually much talked about a leading light in the acting profession

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in smooth
involving minimal difficulty or effort a little light work was all it took to straighten up the room

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in sparse
less plentiful than what is normal, necessary, or desirable traffic on the highway seems to be very light today

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in graceful
moving easily the dancer was exceptionally light on her feet

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in gentle
not harsh or stern especially in nature or effect light punishment to fit a minor offense

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in fluffy
resembling air in lightness the waves had an especially light foam at their crests because of the strong breeze

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

light

3 of 5

adjective (2)

1
as in illuminated
filled with much light the light, airy room is exceptionally cheerful

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in faded
lacking intensity of color we painted the walls a light blue

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in pale
of light complexion her light skin tends to freckle easily in the sun

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

light

4 of 5

verb (1)

1
as in to burn
to set (something) on fire we lit the kindling before adding the heavier logs

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
To locate dark matter, scientists measure how its gravity bends the light from galaxies. — Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026 Many objects that originally emitted visible light are now brightest in the infrared. — Jennifer Borresen, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
Adjective
Natural oak tones are timeless, and pair well with light and dark furnishings, allowing for more flexibility in your space. — Jason Rueger, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026 The lighter touch appears, so far, to be a hallmark of the Vought-era bureau. — Andy Kroll, ProPublica, 31 Aug. 2026
Verb
The Samuels’ run, however, was the spark that lit the fuse after the Caravan was denied on a fourth-and-short situation on its opening possession. — Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026 The 60 Hz, 10-point touch panel is edge-lit, which is the less-expensive way of lighting the LCD panel, and the lighting isn't perfectly uniform across the screen. — Joe Salas august 28, New Atlas, 29 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
  • Place it atop a credenza to create a diffused glow throughout the room in lieu of harsh overhead lighting.
    — Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Overnight, the foundation became a staple among makeup artists and beauty lovers worldwide, thanks to its second-skin finish and lit-from-within glow.
    — Beth Sobol, Flow Space, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of glow
Noun
  • Before Gould arrived, Gates’s team spent the day installing — making sure every bedspread, headboard, desk arrangement, lamp and, of course, the umbrella were perfectly in place.
    — Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Examples include coastal shell mirrors in a city home, Eiffel Tower lamps, or farmhouse signs.
    — Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of lamp
Noun
  • Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Kacey Musgraves, Jack White, every living president, Jane Fonda, and countless more have all mourned the beloved star.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The late star had also been a co-owner of Sandollar Productions alongside her former manager, Sandy Gallin, which produced Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Father of the Bride and Sabrina, among others.
    — Lars Brandle, Billboard, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of star
Noun
  • Senior students at the three high schools also got to mark the start of their final high school year with coffee and doughnuts at a senior sunrise event, said Lily Konczyk, Andrew High School Student Council co-president.
    — Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Several of our local parks are only open from sunrise to sunset (outside of special events).
    — Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of sunrise
Adjective
  • Developers say the material could reduce the environmental impact associated with conventional floating solar structures while offering a lightweight alternative.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The lightweight formula pairs olive, argan, jojoba, sunflower, and safflower oils with smoothing silicones to calm frizz and boost shine.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of lightweight
Adjective
  • The essence has a high concentration of PDRN, which promotes cellular repair and collagen production, plus niacinamide and copper peptides to leave your skin firmer and smoother.
    — Essence Wiley, InStyle, 26 Aug. 2026
  • The track, which blends smooth R&B vocals with contemporary pop production, came almost a decade after bits of the song first leaked on social media.
    — Caché McClay, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of smooth
Adjective
  • However, judging by the content of the minutes, specific details were sparse.
    — , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • According to Grande Cosmetics, apply GrandeBROW once daily on a clean, dry brow, concentrating on sparse areas.
    — Iman Balagam, Vogue, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of sparse
Adjective
  • The driveway, lined with perennial beds, has a graceful curve on its way to a large circle that allows guests to park near the walkway to the front porch.
    — James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 23 Aug. 2026
  • The country is mired in a war with Iran with no graceful exit opportunities; a new round of tariffs threatens to further disrupt fragile global trade relations; and the domestic economy faces inflation combined with paltry growth.
    — Zachary Karabell, Washington Post, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of graceful

Phrases Containing light

Browse Nearby Words

ligatures
light
light bulb
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Light.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/light. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All