Redeem Upgrade Help
Sign in
TOP

Definition of light adjective from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

light

adjective
 
 
/laɪt/
 
/laɪt/
(comparative lighter, superlative lightest)
Idioms
jump to other results

    colours

  1.  
     pale in colour
    • He's got light blue eyes.
    • Lighter shades suit you best.
    • People with pale complexions should avoid wearing light colours.
    • a box of light and dark chocolates
    opposite dark
    Extra Examples
    • She has light brown hair.
    • The floors are light in colour.
    • We painted the walls light grey.
    • The larvae are light green.
    • The man was wearing a light-coloured raincoat.
    • Green eye shadow can look very striking with light eyes.
    • Her hair is slightly lighter than her eyes.
    • Do you like this dark green, or maybe something a bit lighter?
    • Use a lighter tone of pink for your lips.
    Topics Colours and Shapesa1
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs
    • be
    • become
    • get
    • …
    adverb
    • very
    • almost
    • barely
    • …
    See full entry
    2.

    with natural light

  2.  
     full of light; having the natural light of day
    • We'll leave in the morning as soon as it's light.
    • It gets light at about 5 o'clock.
    • Let's go now while it's still light.
    • It was a light spacious apartment at the top of the building.
    opposite dark
    Extra Examples
    • As soon as it grew light, we got up and dressed.
    • It stays light for so long on these summer evenings.
    • It's light until 9 pm in the summer.
    • What time does it get light?
    • I woke up early, before it was light.
    • It was almost light outside.
    • It was barely light yet.
    • It was not light enough to see things clearly.
    • It was starting to get light.
    • The sky turned light once more.
    • We'll set out as soon as it's completely light.
    • The whole house was beautifully light and airy.
    • a lovely light kitchen
    • They added more windows to make the space lighter.
    • Sit by the window to read, where it's light.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs
    • be
    • become
    • get
    • …
    adverb
    • very
    • almost
    • barely
    • …
    See full entry
    3.

    weight

  3.  
     easy to lift or move; not weighing very much
    • The device is light and portable.
    • Carry this bag—it's the lightest.
    • Hydrogen gas is lighter than air.
    • The little girl was as light as a feather.
    • The tent is light enough for backpacking and touring.
    opposite heavy
    Extra Examples
    • The aluminium body is considerably lighter than if built with steel.
    • The new coins are slightly smaller and noticeably lighter in weight.
    • The aluminium tow bars are significantly lighter and easier to lift.
    • It is filled with gasoline to make it buoyant, since gasoline is lighter than water.
    • I pulled him to his feet. He was surprisingly light, or maybe I was just stronger than I thought.
    • Babies born to poorer mothers tend to have lighter birthweights.
    Topics Physics and chemistrya2
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs
    • be
    • feel
    • seem
    • …
    adverb
    • extremely
    • fairly
    • very
    • …
    See full entry
  4.  
     [usually before noun] of less than average or usual weight
    • light summer clothes
    • Only light vehicles are allowed over the old bridge.
    opposite heavy
    Extra Examples
    • wearing only very light clothes
    • the market for cars and light trucks
    • The bottle felt strangely light between my fingers.
    • It a bit light, so I think it's empty.
    • Most of them wore sandals or light shoes.
    • It's very warm, so just bring a light jacket for the evenings.
    • The dog should be secured with a rope or light chain.
    • They wear light body armour.
    • I like this coat because it's light and waterproof.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs
    • be
    • feel
    • seem
    • …
    adverb
    • extremely
    • fairly
    • very
    • …
    See full entry
  5. used with a unit of weight to say that something weighs less than it should do
    • The delivery of potatoes was several kilos light.
    6.

    gentle

  6.  
     [usually before noun] gentle and without weight; not using much force
    • She felt a light tap on her shoulder.
    • the sound of quick light footsteps
    • You only need to apply light pressure.
    • As a boxer, he was always light on his feet (= quick and elegant in the way he moved).
    opposite heavy
    Extra Examples
    • A light touch sets the ball in motion.
    • A light touch on the screen will activate the sequence.
    • She gave the horse a light pat.
    • His breathing became lighter as he relaxed.
    • Her steps are light and graceful.
    • There was a light knock at the door.
    • She rested her hand on his knee and gave it a light squeeze.
    • The kiss was so light I hardly felt it.
    • She smiled, giving him a light kiss on the forehead.
    • Typing is done with light fingers.
    • I was able to close the case with light manual pressure.
    • The fruit is soft enough to mash with the lightest pressure.
    • The section should be played with just a light staccato.
    • The spear bit into his side, thankfully just a light jab.
    7.

    work/exercise

  7.  
     [usually before noun] easy to do; not making you tired
    • After his accident he was moved to lighter work.
    • some light housework
    • Her duties are relatively light.
    • You are probably well enough to take a little light exercise.
    Extra Examples
    • She does a bit of light gardening herself, but has someone to do the digging and mow the lawn.
    • I need someone to do some light cleaning once a week.
    • No cleaning is needed, just a light dusting.
    • His routine includes some light strength training.
    • She returns to work in September with a fairly light schedule.
    • He is in poor health but still able to do light work.
    • I have a relatively light timetable this term.
    • Follow a day of intense training with a lighter one.
    Topics Working lifeb1

    8. not great

  8.  
     not great in amount, degree, etc.
    • Traffic was light.
    • Light rain is forecast.
    • Civilian casualties were comparatively light.
    • Trading on the stock exchange was light today.
    • Apply a light coating of cooking oil.
    opposite heavy
    Extra Examples
    • Trading volume remains light.
    • The traffic is usually fairly light in the afternoons.
    • During the summer demand on the power grid is relatively light.
    • Exercise just enough to break a light sweat.
    • Turnout for the game was light.
    • There was a lighter turnout for the protest than expected.
    • Although total Allied losses were lighter than predicted, by nightfall over ten thousand men had been killed or wounded.
    • Everything was covered in a light coating of ash.
    • There wasn't much rain, just a light drizzle.
    • The forecast is for light showers.
    • It will be dry, with light winds.
    • At dawn the wind was light and the sky clear.
    • Rainfall has been light this spring.
    • We go out when the sea is calm or there's just a light swell.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs
    • be
    • remain
    adverb
    • very
    • remarkably
    • comparatively
    • …
    See full entry
    9.

    not serious/severe

  9.  
     fun rather than serious and not needing much mental effort
    • light reading for the beach
    • This is not something you'd watch for light entertainment.
    • light music/opera
    • We were just making light conversation.
    • Her novels are light, but very well written.
    • We all needed a little light relief at the end of a long day (= something funny or fun that comes after something serious or boring).
    Extra Examples
    • It's intended as light entertainment rather than a ‘message movie’.
    • I read light fiction as well as literary novels.
    • If you're in the mood for something light and goofy, this will do the trick.
    • This is a light romantic comedy.
    • The title leads one to expect something lighter and more playful.
    • a concert of light classical music
    Topics Literature and writingb2
  10.  
     not serious
    • She kept her tone light.
    • This programme looks at the lighter side of politics.
    • The job does have its lighter moments.
    • Let’s talk about lighter things, shall we?
    • On a lighter note, we end the news today with a story about a duck called Quackers.
    Extra Examples
    • It's meant to be light and comical.
    • It was just a bit of light banter between friends.
    • The journey was full of light teasing and jokes.
    • In his next play, he aimed for a lighter tone.
    • This led to a light exchange between the lawyer and the judge which made the court laugh.
    • She made a light remark to relieve the tension.
    • We're focusing on the lighter aspects of family life.
    • There are some light moments, but overall the film is depressing.
    • Tom and I kept it light on the set, joking around with each other.
  11. not severe
    • He was convicted of assaulting a police officer but he got off with a light sentence.
    • The punishment can be remarkably light.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs
    • be
    • remain
    adverb
    • very
    • remarkably
    • comparatively
    • …
    See full entry
    12.

    food

  12.  
     (of a meal) small in quantity
    • a light meal/supper/snack/breakfast
    • Light refreshments will be provided.
    • I just want something light for lunch.
    opposite heavy
    Extra Examples
    • You can have a light meal the night before the surgery.
    • They're so tiny, they're not much more than a light snack.
    • Busy work schedules mean most people eat lighter meals during the day.
    • We ate a light supper in front of the television.
    • Lunch is usually light on weekdays.
    Topics Cooking and eatingb1
  13. not containing much fat, sugar or other rich ingredients and therefore easy to digest
    • Stick to a light diet.
    • a deliciously light alternative to cake
    see also lite
    Extra Examples
    • The soup was pleasantly light.
    • The fish was served with a surprisingly light garlic butter.
    • The seafood made a delightfully light and refreshing starter.
    • Have something light, such as steamed fish or vegetables.
    • If you want something a bit lighter, how about a fresh crab sandwich.
    Topics Cooking and eatingb2
  14. containing a lot of air
    • This pastry is so light.
    15.

    drink

  15. low in alcohol
    • a light beer
  16. (Indian English) (of tea or coffee) containing a lot of water synonym weak
    • I don't like my coffee too light.
    • I think I’ll have a light tea.
    opposite strong

    17. army

  17. [only before noun] (of soldiers) carrying only light weapons
    • the light infantry/cavalry
    opposite heavy (12)

    18. sleep

  18. [only before noun] a person in a light sleep is easy to wake
    • She drifted into a light sleep.
    • I've always been a light sleeper.
    opposite deep

    19. cheerful

  19. [usually before noun] free from worry; cheerful
    • I left the island with a light heart.
    20. Word Originadjective senses 1 to 2 Old English lēoht, līht (noun and adjective), līhtan (verb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch licht and German Licht, from an Indo-European root shared by Greek leukos ‘white’ and Latin lux ‘light’. adjective senses 3 to 17 Old English lēocht, līht (noun), lēohte (adverb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch licht and German leicht, from an Indo-European root shared by lung.
Idioms
be light on something
  1. (British English) to not have enough of something
    • We seem to be light on fuel.
a light touch
  1. the ability to deal with something in a sensitive and relaxed way
    • She handles this difficult subject with a light touch.
make light of something
  1. to treat something as not being important and not serious
    • I didn’t mean to make light of your injuries.
make light work of something
  1. to do something quickly and with little effort
many hands make light work
  1. (saying) used to say that a job is made easier if a lot of people help
See light in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee light in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
Check pronunciation: light

Nearby words

influence
verb
 
 
From the Word list
OPAL spoken words
Oxford Learner's Dictionaries Word of the Day