Lighter
ˈlaɪtər
Definitions
4 meaningsA small device that produces a flame for igniting something.
ˈlaɪtər
A device used for producing a flame.
She rummaged through her bag and found a lighter.
💡 Simply: It's like a tiny flame-maker you use to light candles, cigarettes, or start a fire (carefully, of course!). Think of a tiny handheld fireplace.
👶 For kids: A little thing that makes a flame so you can light a candle.
More Examples
The store sells lighters with various designs.
He flicked the lighter and the gas ignited instantly.
How It's Used
"He pulled out a lighter to light his cigarette."
"The camper used a lighter to start a fire."
Having less weight.
ˈlaɪtər
Having less weight than something else.
The suitcase felt lighter after I removed some items.
💡 Simply: It's like saying something weighs less. For example, a feather is *lighter* than a rock.
👶 For kids: If something is 'lighter', it doesn't weigh as much as something else.
More Examples
This new model is lighter than the previous one.
He opted for a lighter shade of paint for the living room.
How It's Used
"This box is lighter than the one I carried yesterday."
"She chose a lighter weight to perform more repetitions."
To make something less heavy or reduce its weight.
ˈlaɪtər
To make less heavy.
The ship had to lighter some of its cargo to pass through the shallow waters.
💡 Simply: To *lighter* something means to make it easier to carry. Imagine taking some things out of your backpack to make it easier to carry.
👶 For kids: To take stuff out to make something not weigh as much.
More Examples
They lightered the goods to a smaller vessel.
The crew lightered the ship to reach the port.
How It's Used
"The crew lightered the cargo to reduce the ship's draft."
"She decided to lighter her load for the hike."
A flat-bottomed boat used to transfer cargo to and from ships in a harbor or river.
ˈlaɪtər
A flat-bottomed boat used to transfer cargo.
The lighters were used to unload the cargo from the larger vessel.
💡 Simply: It is a type of boat that helps to move things. Big ships can't always get close to the shore, so they use a *lighter* (boat) to help.
👶 For kids: A boat that helps carry things from one place to another.
More Examples
The supplies were transported by lighter to the remote island.
Workers unloaded the cargo from the ship onto lighters.
The lighter carried supplies to the small island.
How It's Used
"The cargo was transferred from the large ship to a lighter."
"They used a lighter to move supplies to the island."
Idioms & expressions
strike a light
To light something, especially with a match or lighter.
"He struck a light and peered into the dark cave."
From Middle English lightere, derived from the verb 'lighten,' meaning to make something lighter in weight or brightness. Also, from Dutch lighter, a type of boat, via Middle Dutch or Low German.
The word 'lighter' as a device dates back to the late 19th century, while its use as a comparative adjective is much older.
Memory tip
Think of the 'light' produced.
Word Origin
"To make something lighter"