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alight

alight

11 6.1
Shining with light or small fire, for example candles
  • adjective
  • /əˈlaɪt/
: encendido
  • The night was alight with stars above
  • set alight

And in Europe's darkest hour, we help to keep the flame of liberty alight across the continent.

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Examples

  • The fire spread too rapidly then to watch its progress; everything seemed alight at once.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • Then why is that fire alight?

    Jamaica Inn (1939)

  • In a moment, she was embracing me, her face alight with welcome.

    Academic text (2002)

  • The applause was tremendous, and the faces above the clapping hands were alight with pleasure.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • There in the gloaming they sat, their faces alight with mischief, but all the while his heart was singing.

    The Gold Rush (1925)

  • Fernanda turned from one to the other, her face alight with vivid, urchin conviction.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • Helene studied him intently, her face alight with curiosity, caution, and the dawning of understanding.

    Fiction book (1995)

  • The autumn leaves were alight with vibrant colors, creating a magical scene in the park.

  • At the festival, the sky was alight with fireworks that burst into brilliant hues.

  • The fireplace was alight, casting a warm glow throughout the cozy room.

Synonyms

on fire
vsalight
483 1.0

Burning with flames and smoke

is lit or burning but can be less actively aflame
lit
vsalight
171 1.0

Having enough light to see easily

emphasizes a fiery or flame-like source rather than any light source
fiery
vsalight
68 3.6

Very hot and like burning flames

refers more narrowly to being lit or aflame rather than metaphorical fire
flaming
vsalight
51 1.8

Burning with a bright fire or very bright color

covers being lit or glowing without insisting on an actual flame
blazing
vsalight
39 3.5

Shining very brightly like the sun

means being lit by or like fire rather than just bright light
ablaze
vsalight
19 5.5

On fire or shining brightly with color

is illuminated or burning but can be calmer or less bright
afire
vsalight
16 6.7

On fire or very full of strong feeling

is about being lit or glowing rather than only burning strongly
aflame
vsalight
12 6.0

Burning with fire or full of strong feeling such as desire

focuses on simple illumination or burning without emotional sense
aglow
vsalight
7 5.5

Lit with a soft warm light or showing happiness

implies firelike illumination or active burning rather than a gentle glow
lighted
vsalight
5 1.0

Burning and producing a flame

is defined by firelike illumination rather than any lighting method
firelit
vsalight
1 4.6

Lit by the light of a fire

can mean lit or burning in general, not only by firelight
aflare
vsalight
  • Archaic
9.0

Glowing brightly as if lit by fire

is lit or glowing but may not be so intensely radiant

Antonyms

dark
∞ 1.0

With little or no light and not bright

How Bright

ablaze
19 5.5
aflame
12 6.0
alight
11 6.1
lit
171 1.0

Surface Forms

alight positive

Morphology

alight = light (semi-transparent) = a + light

The link to 'light' is visible, but the a- form is not productive for most learners and the sense 'burning' is only partly predictable.

Etymology

Alight as an adjective comes from a- + light meaning 'on light' or 'burning', so when something is alight it is 'lit up' or on fire.