limelight

/ˈlaɪmlaɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈlaɪmlaɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈlīm-ˌlīt/ (ame, mw)

limelight — noun

1. the state of being the person or thing that many people are watching, talking ab

1.名詞B2
釋義

the state of being the person or thing that many people are watching, talking about, and taking a special interest in

例句

Hiro found himself in the limelight after his game-winning goal.

in the limelight

Gabriela pushed the young chef into the limelight with a viral interview.

into the limelight

同義詞
  • spotlight

    very close in meaning, but slightly more common in modern everyday English

  • publicity

    focuses more on media coverage or promotion than on the state of being watched

  • fame

    often suggests wider and longer-lasting recognition

反義詞
  • obscurity

    the state of being little known or unnoticed

  • anonymity

    the condition of not being publicly known by name

文法句型

in the limelight

out of the limelight

into the limelight

用法筆記

Most often used with the definite article in fixed phrases such as 'in the limelight' and 'out of the limelight'. It usually suggests broad public notice through the media or major public events, not just attention from one small group.

常見錯誤

She loves limelight.
She loves the limelight.
💡This sense normally uses the definite article in the fixed expression.

2. an old theater lamp that created a bright white beam by shining fire onto a bloc

2.名詞C2
釋義

an old theater lamp that created a bright white beam by shining fire onto a block of lime

例句

Caleb saw an old limelight in the theater museum.

historical object: an old limelight

The guide explained how the limelight once lit the main actor.

the limelight lit [person/object]

同義詞
  • stage lamp

    a general term for a lamp used on stage, without the historical technical detail

  • spotlight

    a modern focused stage light rather than the older lime-based device

用法筆記

This is a historical theater term. Today it is mainly seen in writing about older stage technology or when explaining how the figurative sense in sense 1 developed.

limelight — verb