ray of light
3
3.4
- noun
- /reɪ ʌv laɪt/
- Informal
- A ray of light that brightens a day.
- one ray of light
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Watch on YouTubeAnd we are just a ray of light that's connected to the source.
- And we are just a ray of light that's connected to the source.
Examples
-
After a while, the bleakness of the count's life is alleviated by occasional little rays of light.
Fiction book (1997) -
She became a ray of light in his life when he was feeling hopeless and lost.
-
Eddie is a ray of light in my life.
Blog text (5) -
It's a slow recovery, but we're seeing a new ray of light coming for the future of Sega.
Blog text (5) -
Thus, this tale of greed, treachery, and shattered dreams ends with a ray of light.
Academic text (2002) -
But to PTSD sufferers, the idea of having a forward-leaning framework in which to understand and work on their issues most often comes as an enormous relief and a welcome ray of light in the darkness.
Blog text (9) -
Alain is essentially Stephanie's ray of light in a situation that has altered her life seemingly irrevocably, a support system that allows her to break out of her shell of depression.
Blog text (22) -
Your calm confidence, based on facts, thoughts, and experience, is a ray of light through the cloudy sky of "Gurulike blogs" full of permabull speeches that harm the community at least as much as it helps it.
Blog text (10) -
The support group was a ray of light for those struggling with their mental health.
-
In the midst of hardship, her words were a ray of light that encouraged everyone around her.
Synonyms
∞
5.3
Information that makes people understand something hidden
176
1.0
A cheerful feeling from a person that makes others feel happier
12
3.2
A person who makes others feel happy
7
3.7
A person, place, or idea that gives people hope during hard times
1
3.5
A person or thing that makes people feel happier
1
9.7
A person who brings hope and a feeling of a better future
1
8.7
A person or group that gives hope and shows people how to behave
A person or thing that gives people hope and shows a way in hard times
Antonyms
How Encouraging
49
4.2
7
3.7
- Informal
3
3.4
35
1.9
301
1.0
Surface Forms
Morphology
The literal meaning (‘a narrow beam of light’) is directly derived from 'ray' + 'light', and the figurative sense of bringing hope follows the common, transparent light/dark metaphor (light = hope) found across many languages. This predictable metaphorical extension makes the MWE readily inferable to a B1 learner who knows the constituent words.
Etymology
The noun ray of light uses that same picture of a small beam breaking through thick clouds or darkness. So when a person or thing brings comfort in a hard time, we call them a ray of light because they brighten the situation and give 'hope' or 'encouragement'.