light
What illuminates everything
Light is a form of energy that we detect with our eyes, and in whose absence we experience darkness.
Light can also be used to name any particular form, source, or amount of light: Please turn off the lights when you leave. I don’t like to get up until it’s light outside.
As a verb, light means ignite or illuminate, as in light the candles.
As an adjective, light is the opposite of dark: We bought curtains because the room was too light.
A separately derived word with the same spelling, the adjective light, is the opposite of heavy in most of its senses.
Extremely light, weightless-feeling
- airyLight and well-ventilated
- buoyantAble to float
- weightlessHaving no heft
- delicateEasily broken or harmed
wispy · gossamer · insubstantial · flimsy · portable · nimble · unencumbered · ethereal
Degree of light emitted
- glowSteady, soft light
- radianceGlowing luminous quality
- beamStructural support member
- luminosityIntrinsic brightness of source
shine · gleam · shimmer · sparkle · lantern · torch · spotlight · candlelight
Discrete packets of radiance
- electromagneticInvolving electric and magnetic fields
- wavelengthsPeak-to-peak distances in waves
- spectrumContinuous range of values
- prismLight-splitting optical element
refraction · dispersion · visible · infrared · ultraviolet · lumens · intensity · optics
Of or from gods
- haloLuminous ring overhead
- auraPerceived emanation surrounding someone
- transcendenceSurpassing usual limits
- soulInnermost animating essence
heaven · angelic · radiant · grace · purity · holiness · blessing · sacred
Jewish ceremonial lampstand
- candlesWax lights with wicks
- lanternEnclosed portable light
- HanukkahEight-day Jewish celebration
- DiwaliHindu festival of lights
advent · votive · eternal · vigil · memorial · ceremonial · festival · paschal
Pale, gentle shade
- softYielding to touch
- faintWeak and indistinct
- mutedMade quieter or softer
- subtleNot immediately obvious
washed · bleached · fair · blonde · pallid · tint · blond · ashen
Pleasantly bright in mood
- brightEmitting or reflecting light
- carefreeFree from anxiety
- breezyMildly windy, or nonchalant
- upbeatCheerfully optimistic
playful · lighthearted · buoyant · sunny · jovial · merry · spirited · jaunty
Guiding light source
- guidingLeading toward destination
- waypointNavigation reference location
- signalMessage-conveying cue
- directionWay something faces
path · illuminating · clarity · insight · revelation · understanding · wisdom · awakening
featherlight
Extremely light, weightless-feeling
- airyLight and well-ventilated
- buoyantAble to float
- weightlessHaving no heft
delicate · wispy · gossamer · insubstantial · flimsy · portable · nimble · unencumbered · ethereal · diaphanous
brightness
Degree of light emitted
luminosity · shine · gleam · shimmer · sparkle · lantern · torch · spotlight · candlelight · starlight
photons
Discrete packets of radiance
- electromagneticInvolving electric and magnetic fields
- wavelengthsPeak-to-peak distances in waves
- spectrumContinuous range of values
prism · refraction · dispersion · visible · infrared · ultraviolet · lumens · intensity · optics · particle
divine
Of or from gods
- haloLuminous ring overhead
- auraPerceived emanation surrounding someone
- transcendenceSurpassing usual limits
soul · heaven · angelic · radiant · grace · purity · holiness · blessing · sacred · glory
menorah
Jewish ceremonial lampstand
Diwali · advent · votive · eternal · vigil · memorial · ceremonial · festival · paschal · Kwanzaa
pastel
Pale, gentle shade
subtle · washed · bleached · fair · blonde · pallid · tint · blond · ashen
cheerful
Pleasantly bright in mood
upbeat · playful · lighthearted · buoyant · sunny · jovial · merry · spirited · jaunty · blithe
beacon
Guiding light source
direction · path · illuminating · clarity · insight · revelation · understanding · wisdom · awakening · epiphany
darkness
Total absence of light
- shadowLight blocked by object
- contrastNotable difference between things
- balanceSteadiness or amount owed
good · evil · opposing · interplay · chiaroscuro · yin · bright · dark · binary · polarity
- physicsphysics, momentum, atom, acceleration, gravity
- fragrancesperfume, cologne, aftershave, essential oils, floral
- Kids Physicsmagnets, gravity, electricity, force, friction
- sensessight, smell, taste, hearing, touch
- Art Conceptscreativity, aesthetics, color theory, perspective, symmetry
- art themesportrait, abstraction, portraits, self-portrait, still life
- red lightTraffic control meaning halt
- light bulbElectric illumination source
- traffic lightRoad signal device
- green lightAuthorization to proceed
- light upBecome illuminated or joyful
- light switchWall-mounted illumination control
delight, lightly, highlight, sunlight, lighten, delightful, twilight, daylight, lighting