Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Illuminated; provided with light: Describes something that has been made bright or visible by a source of light, especially artificial light.
   • Ignited; burning: Describes something that is on fire or has been set alight.

Usage

• As an adjective describing illumination:
  • Used before a noun (attributive) or after a linking verb (predicative) to indicate that light is shining on or from something.
  • Example: She entered the lighted hallway.
• As an adjective describing combustion:
  • Used to indicate that a flammable object (like a candle, cigarette, or match) is actively burning.
  • Example: He held a lighted match carefully.

Examples

• Illuminated:
  • The lighted sign was visible from miles away.
  • The path was lighted by a row of lanterns.
• Burning:
  • Do not leave a lighted candle unattended.
  • He offered me a lighted cigarette.

Advanced Usage

• "Well-lighted": A compound adjective meaning adequately or brightly illuminated.
  • For safety, always use a well-lighted staircase at night.
• Note on "lighted" vs. "lit": Both are commonly used as the past tense and past participle of the verb "light" and as adjectives. "Lighted" is often preferred as an adjective placed before a noun (e.g., a lighted room), while "lit" is frequently used after a verb (e.g., The room was lit). However, this distinction is not strict, and they are largely interchangeable in modern usage.

Variants and Related Words

• Light (verb): To provide with light or to ignite.
• Lit (adjective, past participle): Often used synonymously with "lighted" (e.g., a lit match, a brightly lit room).
• Illuminate (verb): To light up.
• Ignited (adjective): Set on fire (more technical, often for engines or scientific contexts).

Synonyms

• Illuminated: Lit up.
• Aflame: In flames, burning.
• Aglow: Glowing with light or color.

Phrasal Verbs Related to "Light"

• Light up: To become illuminated or to ignite something.
  • The sky lit up with fireworks.
• Light upon: To find or discover by chance.
  • He lit upon an old manuscript in the attic.

Idioms

• A lighted fuse: A situation that is likely to become dangerous or explosive.
  • Their argument was like a lighted fuse waiting to go off.
• See the light:
  • To finally understand something.

    • After hours of study, I finally saw the light.
  • To undergo a religious conversion.

    • He saw the light and changed his ways.

Adjective

1. provided with artificial light
   • illuminated advertising
   • looked up at the lighted windows
   • a brightly lit room
   • a well-lighted stairwell
2. set afire or burning
   • the lighted candles
   • a lighted cigarette
   • a lit firecracker