Sapling Logo

“Light” or “Lite”

light / lite are similar-sounding terms with different meanings (referred to as homophones). To better understand the differences, see below for definitions, pronunciation guides, and example sentences using each term.

Definitions

What each term means

Same sound, different spellings and meanings, shown with a pronunciation guide for each term.

light l·AY·t

  • noun(physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation.
  • nounany device serving as a source of illumination.
  • nouna particular perspective or aspect of a situation.
  • nounan illuminated area.
  • nouna condition of spiritual awareness; divine illumination.
  • nounthe visual effect of illumination on objects or scenes as created in pictures.
  • nouna person regarded very fondly.
  • nounhaving abundant light or illumination.
  • nounmental understanding as an enlightening experience.
  • nounpublic awareness.
  • nouna visual warning signal.
  • verbmake lighter or brighter.
  • adjectiveof comparatively little physical weight or density.
  • adjective(used of color) having a relatively small amount of coloring agent.
  • adjectiveof the military or industry; using (or being) relatively small or light arms or equipment.
  • adjectivenot great in degree or quantity or number.
  • adjectivepsychologically light; especially free from sadness or troubles.
  • adjectivecharacterized by or emitting light.
  • adjectiveeasily assimilated in the alimentary canal; not rich or heavily seasoned.
  • adjective(used of soil) loose and large-grained in consistency.
  • adjectivemoving easily and quickly; nimble.
  • adjectivedemanding little effort; not burdensome.
  • adjectiveof little intensity or power or force.
  • adjective(physics, chemistry) not having atomic weight greater than average.
  • adjectivevery thin and insubstantial.
  • adjectiveless than the correct or legal or full amount often deliberately so.
  • adjectivehaving little importance.
  • adjectiveintended primarily as entertainment; not serious or profound.
  • adjectivedesigned for ease of movement or to carry little weight.
  • adjectivehaving relatively few calories.
  • adjective(of sleep) easily disturbed.

lite l·AY·t

No dictionary entry for this spelling — see the usage examples below for how it shows up in writing.

Usage

Examples in context

Real sentences for each spelling. Hover an example to copy it.

“light”

  • A toggle light switch is a switch, most
  • 1916 Light switch (toggle)
  • the need or absence of light during activities requires constant change.
  • producing a source of ultraviolet light was devised by Robert Williams
  • in the United States.1912 Traffic light (electric)The traffic light, also known
  • which worked both in infrared daylight communication and ultraviolet night communications,
  • an excited state to produce light.
  • School, Lawshall and the Green Light Trust, an environmental and educational
  • brief sudden burst of bright light "flash" from a chemical reaction
  • vary the brightness of a light.

“lite”

  • Michiko Kakutani called it "Pynchon Lite", describing it as "a simple
  • The Bernick's Miller Lite Open was an annual bonspiel,
  • Lite FM Christine on WLTW-FM
  • has an on-die PowerVR MBX Lite GPU supporting 3D acceleration and
  • Bernick's Miller Lite Open
  • was labelled as "Labatt's Special Lite" and was sold in Ontario
  • Flashback Commercial of 1977: Miller Lite - "Great taste, less filling"
  • If "LINE Lite" for Android is installed and
  • an adult contemporary format, branded "Lite 97".
  • Before working for Lite FM, Nagy was a traffic

Examples are Wikipedia snippets under the CC ShareAlike 3.0 license. Definitions are drawn from WordNet.

Too much to remember?

Looking for a tool that handles this for you wherever you write?