11 → see also lighter
➌ light ◆◇◇ /la I t/ (lighter , lightest )
→ Please look at category 6 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe things such as books, music, and films as light , you mean that they entertain you without making you think very deeply. □ …light classical music. □ …a light entertainment programme.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you say something in a light way, you sound as if you think that something is not important or serious. □ Talk to him in a friendly, light way about the relationship. □ Let's finish on a lighter note. ● light|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ 'Once a detective, always a detective,' he said lightly. ● light|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ 'I'm not an authority on them,' Jessica said with forced lightness.
3 ADJ If you say that something is not a light matter, you mean that it should be treated or considered as being important and serious. □ It can be no light matter for the Home Office that so many young prisoners should have wanted to kill or injure themselves. ● light|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ His allegations cannot be lightly dismissed.
4 PHRASE If you make light of something, you treat it as though it is not serious or important, when in fact it is. □ Roberts attempted to make light of his discomfort.
5 → see also lighter
6 to make light work of → see work
li ght ai r|craft (light aircraft ) N‑COUNT A light aircraft is a small aeroplane that is designed to carry a small number of passengers or a small amount of goods.
li ght bulb (light bulbs ) N‑COUNT A light bulb or bulb is the round glass part of an electric light or lamp which light shines from.
li ght crea m N‑UNCOUNT Light cream is thin cream that does not have a lot of fat in it. [AM ] in BRIT, use single cream
light|en /la I t ə n/ (lightens , lightening , lightened )
1 VERB When something lightens or when you lighten it, it becomes less dark in colour. □ [V ] The sky began to lighten. □ [V n] Leslie lightens her hair and has now had it cut into a short, feathered style.
2 VERB If someone lightens a situation, they make it less serious or less boring. □ [V n] Anthony felt the need to lighten the atmosphere.
3 VERB If your attitude or mood lightens , or if someone or something lightens it, they make you feel more cheerful, happy, and relaxed. □ [V ] As they approached the outskirts of the city, Ella's mood visibly lightened. □ [V n] The sun was streaming in through the window, yet it did nothing to lighten his mood.
4 VERB If you lighten something, you make it less heavy. □ [V n] It is a good idea to blend it in a food processor as this lightens the mixture. □ [V -ed] He pulled the lightened sled with all his strength.
light|er /la I tə r / (lighters ) N‑COUNT A lighter is a small device that produces a flame which you can use to light cigarettes, cigars, and pipes.
li ght-fi ngered ADJ If you say that someone is light-fingered , you mean that they steal things. [INFORMAL ]
li ght-hea ded ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you feel light-headed , you feel rather unsteady and strange, for example because you are ill or because you have drunk too much alcohol.
li ght-hea rted
1 ADJ Someone who is light-hearted is cheerful and happy. □ They were light-hearted and prepared to enjoy life.
2 ADJ Something that is light-hearted is intended to be entertaining or amusing, and not at all serious. □ There have been many attempts, both light-hearted and serious, to locate the Loch Ness Monster.
li ght hea vy|weight (light heavyweights ) N‑COUNT A light heavyweight is a professional boxer who weighs between 160 and 175 pounds, or an amateur boxer who weighs between 165 and 179 pounds.
light|house /la I thaʊs/ (lighthouses ) N‑COUNT A lighthouse is a tower containing a powerful flashing lamp that is built on the coast or on a small island. Lighthouses are used to guide ships or to warn them of danger.
li ght i^n|dus|try (light industries ) N‑VAR Light industry is industry in which only small items are made, for example household goods and clothes.
light|ing /la I t I ŋ/
1 N‑UNCOUNT The lighting in a place is the way that it is lit, for example by electric lights, by candles, or by windows, or the quality of the light in it. □ [+ of ] …the bright fluorescent lighting of the laboratory. □ The whole room is bathed in soft lighting. □ …street lighting.
2 N‑UNCOUNT The lighting in a film or play is the use of different electric lights to give a particular effect. □ Peter Mumford's lighting and David Freeman's direction make a crucial contribution to the success of the staging.
light|ning /la I tn I ŋ/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Lightning is the very bright flashes of light in the sky that happen during thunderstorms. □ One man died when he was struck by lightning. □ Another flash of lightning lit up the cave. □ …thunder and lightning.
2 → see also forked lightning
3 ADJ [ADJ n] Lightning describes things that happen very quickly or last for only a short time. □ Driving today demands lightning reflexes.
li ght|ning bug (lightning bugs ) N‑COUNT A lightning bug is a type of beetle that produces light from its body. [AM ]
li ght|ning con|duc|tor (lightning conductors ) N‑COUNT A lightning conductor is a long thin piece of metal on top of a building that attracts lightning and allows it to reach the ground safely. [BRIT ] in AM, use lightning rod
li ght|ning rod (lightning rods )