light
light — verb
- lightpresent simple I / you / we / they
- lights3rd person singular
- lighting-ing form
- litpast simple
- lightedpast participle
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.
light + [a cigarette / pipe / cigar]
The campers lit a small fire to cook beans and stay warm.
- light a candle
- light a match
- light a cigarette
- light a fire
- light the stove
- 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
Grammar Patterns
light + [object]
[object] + lights
Usage Note
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.
Common Mistakes
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.
light + [the sky / room / face]
- light the room
- light the stage
- light the path
- lit by candles
- lit by the moon
- 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
Grammar Patterns
light + [place / object]
be lit by [light source]
Usage Note
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.
Common Mistakes
light — noun
- lightsingular
- lightsplural
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.
collocation: in natural / soft / bright light
Light travels much faster than sound through the air.
A warm yellow light filled the small wooden chapel at sunset.
- bright light
- dim light
- natural light
- ray of light
- beam of light
- in the light of
- 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
Grammar Patterns
light from + [source]
in the light
Usage Note
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').
Common Mistakes
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.
collocation: flash / dim / dip the lights (on a car)
Street lights came on as the sky grew darker over the harbour.
- turn on the light
- switch off the light
- street light
- fairy lights
- desk light
- the lights are on
Grammar Patterns
turn on/off the light
switch the light on/off
Usage Note
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'.
Common Mistakes
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.
collocation: the lights change / turn green
- traffic lights
- at the lights
- jump the lights
- the lights changed
- red light
- green light
- traffic lights
the most common full form
- stoplight
American English, usually singular
- signal
more technical or official, used in road-safety writing
Grammar Patterns
at the lights
go through a red light
Usage Note
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.
Common Mistakes
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.
collocation: ask for a light
Without a light, we couldn't get the candles on the cake going.
- have a light
- ask for a light
- got a light?
- give someone a light
Grammar Patterns
have you got a light?
ask for a light
Usage Note
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.
Common Mistakes
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 light to
- put a light to
- 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
Grammar Patterns
set light to + [object]
put a light to + [object]
Usage Note
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.
Common Mistakes
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.
- sheep's lights
- pig's lights
- lights and liver
Usage Note
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.
there was a [adj] light in [someone]'s eyes
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.
a [adj] light entered [someone]'s eyes
- a strange light in someone's eyes
- a soft light
- came into her eyes
Grammar Patterns
a [adj] light in someone's eyes
Usage Note
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.
Common Mistakes
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.
- narrow lights
- a light in the roof
- tall lights
Grammar Patterns
a light in [a wall/roof]
Usage Note
Technical use in architecture, building, and stained-glass contexts. In ordinary speech, learners should use 'window' or 'skylight' instead.
Common Mistakes
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.
see [something] in a [adj] light
The documentary cast the company's history in a troubling light.
cast [something] in a [adj] light
Don't paint your sister in a bad light just because you are angry with her.
- in a different light
- in a bad light
- in a positive light
- cast in a new light
- 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
Grammar Patterns
see/put/cast something in a [adj] light
in a [adj] light
Usage Note
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.
Common Mistakes
in the light of
idiomafter thinking carefully about a new fact or piece of information that affects how you understand something.
In the light of the new evidence, the police reopened the case.
We changed our travel plans in the light of the weather warning.
see the light
idiomto suddenly understand something clearly, or finally agree with an idea after resisting it.
After months of arguing, Daniel finally saw the light and quit smoking.
She saw the light when her teacher explained the problem with a simple drawing.
to make a hidden fact, mistake, or secret known to other people.
The journalist brought several safety problems at the factory to light.
An old letter in the attic brought the family secret to light.
come to light
idiomif a fact or event comes to light, people start to know about it after it has been hidden.
New details about the missing painting came to light this week.
Several errors in the report came to light during the review meeting.
a sign that a long, hard period is finally close to ending and things will improve.
After two years of treatment, Maria finally saw the light at the end of the tunnel.
With only one chapter left, the writer could see the light at the end of the tunnel.
in a good/bad light
idiomin a way that makes someone or something seem either positive and impressive, or negative and unpleasant.
The interview showed the singer in a very good light.
The newspaper article put the company in a bad light.
Based on the personal beliefs or principles that someone follows.
The judge made her decision according to her own lights.
He acted according to his lights, even if others disagreed.
To stand between a person and a source of light, blocking it.
Could you please move? You're in my light.
The tall man was in her light while she tried to read.
To fall asleep almost immediately.
After the long hike, Tom went out like a light.
The baby was out like a light within minutes.
To be very pleasant, friendly, and polite.
Despite the argument, she was all sweetness and light at dinner.
He seems all sweetness and light, but he can be strict.
the bright lights
idiomThe exciting and glamorous life of a big city.
She left her small town for the bright lights of New York.
The bright lights of Las Vegas attract many tourists.
To make something easier to understand by providing information.
The new evidence shed light on the mystery.
Can you throw light on why the project failed?
To keep your abilities or talents secret instead of showing them.
Don't hide your light under a bushel; share your ideas.
She hides her light under a bushel, so few know her skills.
When you think about something calmly and clearly, often the next morning.
In the cold light of day, the problem seemed less serious.
His anger faded in the cold light of day.
In a way that makes something appear positive or negative.
The article presented the mayor in a favorable light.
She saw her childhood in a negative light.
After considering a particular fact or piece of information.
In the light of new evidence, the case was reopened.
They changed the plan in the light of customer feedback.
jump the lights
idiomTo drive through a red traffic light without stopping.
The driver jumped the lights and caused an accident.
Never jump the lights; it's dangerous.
A sign that a difficult situation will soon end.
After months of treatment, we see light at the end of the tunnel.
The new job offer was light at the end of the tunnel.
Someone suddenly understood something.
The light dawned on him when he saw the clue.
After hours of study, the light finally dawned.
The person that someone loves more than anyone else.
His daughter is the light of his life.
She called her husband the light of her life.
Used to describe someone who is not paying attention or is not very smart.
He stared blankly; the lights are on but nobody's home.
When she didn't answer, I thought the lights are on but nobody's home.
To be created, published, or become known to the public.
Her novel finally saw the light of day after years of editing.
Many old photos never saw the light of day.
To make something start burning.
He accidentally set light to the curtains with a candle.
The arsonist set light to the abandoned building.
light — adjective
- lightpositive
- lightercomparative
- lightestsuperlative
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.
comparative: lighter than
- light bag
- light suitcase
- light load
- feel light
- remarkably light
- 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
Grammar Patterns
light + noun
feel/be + light
Usage Note
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.
Common Mistakes
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.
predicative: made of light fabric
- light jacket
- light coat
- light dress
- light cotton
- light fabric
- 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
Grammar Patterns
light + clothing noun
Usage Note
Subject is usually a piece of clothing or a fabric type (cotton, linen, silk). Often contrasted with 'heavy' or 'thick' clothes worn in winter.
Common Mistakes
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.
comparative: lighter (more daylight)
- get light
- stay light
- light room
- light kitchen
- light enough to read
Grammar Patterns
it + be + light
light + room/space
Usage Note
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.
Common Mistakes
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.
- light blue
- light green
- light grey
- light brown
- light pink
Grammar Patterns
light + colour word
light + noun (of an item with that colour)
Usage Note
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.
Common Mistakes
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.
predicative: keep + tone + light
- light reading
- light novel
- light comedy
- light music
- keep things light
- 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
Grammar Patterns
light + reading/music/comedy/entertainment
Usage Note
Often contrasted with 'serious', 'heavy', or 'deep' when talking about books, films, music, or conversation. Common collocates: 'reading', 'novel', 'comedy', 'music', 'tone', 'mood'.
Common Mistakes
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.
make light of + abstract problem
She tried to make light of her bad exam results by joking with her friends.
- make light of a problem
- make light of an injury
- make light of concerns
- make light of someone's feelings
- 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
Grammar Patterns
make light of + something
Usage Note
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.
Common Mistakes
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.
collocation: light traffic / light snow / light rain
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.
- light rain
- light wind
- light breeze
- light snow
- light traffic
- light tap
- light touch
- light push
Usage Note
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.
Common Mistakes
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.
- light eater
- light drinker
- light smoker
- moderate
neutral; stresses the small amount itself
- heavy
as in 'heavy drinker', 'heavy smoker'
Usage Note
Almost always used before the nouns 'eater', 'drinker', or 'smoker'. Rarely stands alone — you say 'She is a light eater', not 'She eats light'.
Common Mistakes
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.
- light sleeper
- light sleep
- light nap
- light doze
- restless
stresses moving and not resting well
Usage Note
Used mainly with 'sleeper' or 'sleep'. The opposite is 'heavy sleeper' — someone who can sleep through loud noises.
Common Mistakes
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.
collocation: light breakfast
Doctors suggest a light dinner if you plan to go to sleep within two hours.
- light meal
- light lunch
- light dinner
- light breakfast
- light snack
- light bite
Usage Note
Common before meal nouns: 'light lunch', 'light dinner', 'light snack', 'light breakfast'. On product labels, 'light' can also signal lower calories or fat.
Common Mistakes
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.
- light beer
- light wine
- light ale
- light cocktail
- strong
high in alcohol or bold in flavour
- full-bodied
wine term for rich and heavy taste
Usage Note
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.
Common Mistakes
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.
collocation: light damage
The teacher took the boys' jokes as light teasing, not real bullying.
collocation: light teasing
By morning the heavy rain had become a light shower over the village.
- light injury
- light cold
- light damage
- light shower
- light teasing
- light fever
Usage Note
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.
Common Mistakes
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.
comparative: lighter punishment
The young driver got off with a light penalty after pleading guilty.
phrase: get off with a light penalty
Critics said the two-year term was light given the damage caused.
- light sentence
- light fine
- light penalty
- light punishment
- lighter sentence
Grammar Patterns
a light + sentence/punishment/fine
Usage Note
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.
Common Mistakes
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.
make light work of + task
The champion made light work of his first opponent, winning in two sets.
make light work of + opponent
- make light work of
- easy
the everyday word for tasks that need little effort
- effortless
stronger; suggests no effort at all
- quick
focuses on speed rather than difficulty
Grammar Patterns
make light work of + noun
Usage Note
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.
Common Mistakes
a sign that a long, hard situation is finally getting close to a happy ending.
After two years of treatment, Maria can finally see light at the end of the tunnel.
Sales improved this quarter, giving the small bakery light at the end of the tunnel.
light as a feather
idiomextremely easy to lift because it weighs almost nothing.
The new tennis racket is light as a feather but still hits the ball hard.
Lift the baby gently; she is light as a feather in your arms.
a job becomes much easier and faster when several people help with it.
Let the children help wash the car; many hands make light work.
The whole team painted the classroom in one afternoon — many hands make light work.
Word family
- lighternounA2
- lightingnounB1
- lightlyadverbB2
- lightnessnounC1
- lightenverbB2
- enlightenverbC1
- enlightenmentnounC1
- highlightverbB2
- highlightnounB2
- lightheartedadjectiveC1
- lightweightadjectiveB2
- lighthousenounB1
- daylightnounB1
- moonlightnounB2
- sunlightnounA2
- spotlightnounB2
- torchlightnounC1
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
All five words describe what we see when something gives off energy our eyes can detect, but they sit at different points on a scale of intensity, formality, and feel. 'Light' is the everyday, neutral term and works in almost any context, from a candle to the sun to a phone screen. 'Brightness' focuses on the level or strength rather than the phenomenon itself — you talk about adjusting the brightness of a screen, not the light of a screen. 'Illumination' is more formal and is preferred in technical, architectural, or artistic writing about how a space or object is lit. 'Glow' suggests a soft, warm, often steady source — embers, fairy lights, a sunset. 'Glare' is harsh, uncomfortable light that hurts the eyes, such as headlights at night or sun off snow. So you might say: 'There wasn't enough light in the room' (everyday), 'The brightness of the screen was hurting his eyes' (level), 'The gallery's illumination was carefully designed' (formal), 'The fire's gentle glow filled the cabin' (soft), 'The glare from the windscreen made driving difficult' (harsh).
Common collocations
Nouns
- ray of light
- beam of light
- source of light
- speed of light
- shaft of light
Phrases
- see the light
- in a new light
- shed light on
- throw light on
- bring to light
- in the light of
Prepositions
- in the light
- by the light of
- against the light
- into the light
- out of the light
Etymology
The noun and adjective senses of 'light' come from two different Old English words that happened to sound alike. The 'brightness' meaning traces to Old English 'leoht', from a Proto-Germanic root shared with German 'Licht', and ultimately from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'to shine'. The 'not heavy' meaning comes from a separate Old English word 'leoht' (or 'liht'), from a Proto-Germanic root meaning 'easy, of small weight', related to Latin 'levis' (light in weight). Over time the two words merged in spelling and pronunciation, which is why a single English form covers such different ideas. The verb 'to light' (to set burning, to make bright) is built directly from the brightness noun and is recorded in English from around the 12th century.
First known use
12th century
12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a Adjective (1)