Light
/laɪt/
nounverbadjectiveA2
Definition
Light as a noun means the natural brightness that comes from the sun, lamps, or other sources, which lets us see. As a verb, it means to make something start burning or to turn on a lamp or candle. As an adjective, light describes something that is not heavy or is pale in color.
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See It in Action
Brightness that makes things visible
- •The light from the window made the room warm and bright.
- •We need light to read books at night.
- •The street lights turn on when it gets dark.
To start burning or turn on a source of brightness
- •She lit a candle to see in the dark.
- •Please light the stove so we can cook.
- •He lights the lamp every evening.
Something not heavy or pale in color (adjective)
- •This bag is light; I can carry it easily.
- •She wore a light blue dress in the summer.
- •The box is light compared to the heavy one.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "light" like "see" (A1 word), because light helps you see everything around you.
- ✓Picture the sun shining on a bright day or a lamp glowing in a dark room.
- ✓It's the feeling when a room suddenly becomes bright and warm after turning on a light.
- ✓Sounds like "light" → imagine a small, bright feather floating gently in the air, easy and bright.
- ✓Remember the phrase "light as a feather," meaning something very soft or not heavy.
- ✓NOT like "dark" (no brightness), light is the opposite and helps you see clearly.
- ✓NOT like "heavy" (lots of weight), light means easy to carry or hold.
- ✓NOT like "heat" (warmth), light is about brightness, not temperature.
- ✓NOT like "fire" (flames), light can come from fire but also from electricity or the sun.
Try Other Words
- •Shine: to give off light (Use when talking about how something sends out light, like the sun or stars)
- •Illuminate: to light up a place (Use in more formal or written contexts)
- •Turn on: to start a machine or light (Use when talking about switching on electric lights)
- •Bright: having a lot of light (Use when describing strong or clear light)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: The word "light" is a simple root word without prefixes or suffixes.
- •Etymology: Comes from Old English "lēoht," meaning brightness or daylight.
- •Historical development: Used for many centuries to describe brightness and the quality that lets us see.
- •Modern usage: Used as noun, verb, and adjective in everyday language about brightness, starting fires, and describing weight or color.
- •Key insight: "Light" is a very common word with many uses but always connected to brightness or low weight.
Reflect & Connect
•How does the meaning of "light" change when used as a noun, verb, or adjective in different sentences?
•Can something be light in color but not light in weight? How do these different meanings affect how we describe things?
Fill in the blanks
1.When it gets dark, we ___ a lamp to see better.
2.The ___ from the sun makes plants grow and helps us see.
3.This suitcase is very ___; I can carry it without help.
4.The room was full of ___ after the lights were turned on.
5.She asked him to ___ a candle during the power outage.
6.A light color can make a room feel ___ and open.
7.The stars ___ brightly in the night sky, giving a soft light.