unlit

/'ʌn'lit/

Thân thiện

He holds an unlit cigarette in his hand.

Definition

Adjective 1. Not illuminated; lacking light: Describing a place, object, or area that is dark because there is no artificial or natural light source providing illumination. 2. Not ignited or burning: Describing a source of fire or light, such as a candle, cigarette, or lamp, that has not been set alight.

Usage and Examples

• Describing a dark place or object:
  • We walked down the unlit path, guided only by the moon.
  • The room was cold and unlit, making it difficult to see.
• Describing something not burning:
  • He held an unlit cigar in his hand.
  • The unlit candles on the birthday cake were ready for the wish.

Advanced Usage

• "unlit" vs. "lightless": While often synonymous, "lightless" can sound more absolute or poetic (e.g., ), whereas "unlit" is more commonly used for everyday situations where lighting is expected but absent.
• Implied expectation: Using "unlit" often suggests that lighting is normally present or would be expected. For example, an "unlit street" implies it usually has streetlights that are off or absent.

Variants and Related Words

• Unlighted (adjective): A direct synonym for "unlit," used interchangeably in both meanings (e.g., , ).
• Dark (adjective): A more general term for the absence of light. An room is , but a room may be so due to other reasons (e.g., painted black).
• Extinguished (adjective): Specifically describes something that was burning but has been put out. An candle was never burning; an candle was.

Synonyms

• Dark
• Unilluminated
• Lightless
• Unlighted

Antonyms

• Lit
• Lighted
• Illuminated
• Bright
• Burning (for the second meaning)

Học thuật

Adjective

1. without illumination
   • came up the lightless stairs
   • the unilluminated side of Mars
   • through dark unlighted (or unlit) streets
2. not set afire or burning
   • the table was bare, the candles unlighted
   • held an unlit cigarette

Từ đồng nghĩa

• lightless
• unilluminated
• unlighted