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Glite Dictionary
table lamp

table lamp

3 1.0
A small light that stands on a table for reading or making a room look nice
  • noun
  • /ˈteɪbəl læmp/
translation icon : lámpara de mesa
  • The cozy reading nook featured a bright table lamp that illuminated the pages of her book.
  • table lamp shade
  • bedside table lamp
  • glass table lamp

Examples

  • The overhead bulb in his room was burned out, but the one table lamp was enough.

    Fiction book (1999)

  • Mrs. Beaumont turns on a table lamp.

    Fiction book (1997)

  • Yeah, we just need a table lamp in this corner.

  • I went inside, turned on a small table lamp.

    Fiction book (1999)

  • I switched on the other table lamp.

    Fiction book (1993)

  • By the eerie light of a single table lamp, he keeps writing.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • I immediately noticed the table lamp and remembered that I had as yet done nothing about the repair to the bulb.

    Academic text (2007)

  • Undaunted, he flips on the table lamp in the living room.

    Academic text (2007)

  • A table lamp and assorted framed photographs complete the rather scrawny-looking set.

    Fiction book (1995)

  • A single table lamp lights Dick Dodge's office, reflecting off the velvet drapes, sculpted ceiling, and crystal chandeliers.

    Fiction book (1992)

Synonyms

lamp
vstable lamp
274 1.0

Something that gives light for a room or table

is meant to sit on flat surfaces and mainly used for reading or decoration
student lamp
vstable lamp
3.2

A lamp with an adjustable neck that gives focused light for reading or study

is made to sit on flat surfaces and used for general decorative lighting

How Bright

floor lamp
3 1.0
table lamp
3 1.0
bed lamp
1.8
night-light
10 2.5

Surface Forms

table lamp singular
table lamps plural

Morphology

table + lamp

The meaning 'a lamp designed to stand on a table' is directly and compositionally derived from the constituents 'table' (flat-topped furniture) + 'lamp' (light source); the noun+noun compound signals purpose/location in a transparent way. This is a common, cross-linguistically attested compounding pattern using frequent words, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

The name table lamp comes from the simple idea of a lamp that sits on a table to give a small light 'for reading' or 'working', so it now means a lamp made to stand on a table.