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Glite Dictionary
boob light

boob light

9.7
A round ceiling light that looks old and cheap
  • noun
  • /buːb laɪt/
  • Informal
translation icon : luz de techo
  • Many people dislike the look of a boob light but keep them for their affordability.

Examples

  • She quickly swapped out the old boob light for something more modern.

  • The rental apartment had a typical boob light in every room.

  • That boob light in the hallway looks outdated.

  • I can't believe they still sell boob lights!

  • Many people dislike the look of a boob light because they find it unattractive.

  • The rental apartment featured a boob light in the center of the living room ceiling.

  • She replaced the old boob light with a stylish fixture to brighten up the room.

Synonyms

lighting fixture
vsboob light
  • Specialized
4 3.4

A device fixed to a ceiling or wall that holds a lamp to give light

is a specific informal domed ceiling form seen as cheap and unattractive

How Attractive

chandelier
58 4.6
pendant
1 5.8
ceiling dome
  • US
5.3
boob light
  • Informal
9.7
bulb
166 1.3

Surface Forms

boob light singular
boob lights plural

Morphology

boob + light

The noun–noun compound is compositionally transparent: it refers to a light fixture that resembles a 'boob' (breast), so a learner who knows 'boob' and 'light' can infer the referent from the constituent meanings. Note that the term is informal/slang and potentially taboo in register, but the basic meaning is directly derivable from the parts.

Etymology

Boob light may come from the round dome of a ceiling light that some people thought looked like a boob. That's why the name is used for plain, inexpensive fixtures and now means a 'cheap, unattractive' ceiling light.