Definition of 'alight'

Word Frequency

alight

(əlaɪt )

Word forms: 3rd person singular present tense alights , present participle alighting , past tense, past participle alighted

1. adjective [verb-link ADJECTIVE]

If something is alight, it is burning.

Several buildings were set alight.

The gas fire was still alight.

2. adjective [verb-link ADJECTIVE]

If someone's eyes are alight or if their face is alight, the expression in their eyes or on their face shows that they are feeling a strong emotion such as excitement or happiness.

[literary]

Her eyes were alight with a girlish enjoyment of life.

She paused and turned, her face alight with happiness. [+ with]

3. verb

If a bird or insect alights somewhere, it lands there.

[literary]

A thrush alighted on a branch of the pine tree. [VERB preposition/adverb]

Synonyms: land, light, settle, come down More Synonyms of alight

4. verb

When you alight from a train, bus, or other vehicle, you get out of it after a journey.

[formal]

Two men alighted from the vehicle. [VERB preposition/adverb]

[Also VERB]

Synonyms: get off, descend, get down, disembark More Synonyms of alight

5. verb

If someone alights on something, they suddenly see it, think of it, or take an interest in it.

[literary]

He would then suddenly alight on the tune he really wanted to play. [VERB on/upon noun]

More Synonyms of alight

Video: pronunciation of 'alight'

Word Frequency

alight in British 1

(əˈlaɪt )

verbWord forms: alights, alighting, alighted or alit (intransitive)

1. (usually foll by from)

to step out (of) or get down (from)

to alight from a taxi

to come to rest; settle; land

a thrush alighted on the wall

Word origin of 'alight'

Old English ālīhtan, from a-2 + līhtan to make less heavy, from līht light2

Word Frequency

alight in British 2

(əˈlaɪt )

adjective, adverb (postpositive)

burning; on fire

illuminated; lit up

Word origin of 'alight'

Old English ālīht lit up, from ālīhtan to light up; see light1

Word Frequency

alight in American 1

(əˈlaɪt ; əlītˈ)

verb intransitiveWord forms: aˈlighted or aˈlit, aˈlighting

to get down or off; dismount

to come down after flight; descend and settle

3. Rare

to come (on or upon) accidentally

Word origin of 'alight'

ME alighten < OE ālīhtan < a-, out, off + līhtan, to dismount, render light < liht: see light2 (to dismount)

Word Frequency

alight in American 2

(əˈlaɪt ; əlītˈ)

adjective

lighted; burning

lighted up

Word origin of 'alight'

ME aliht, pp. of alihten < OE alihtan, to light up

Example sentences containing 'alight'

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They stole watches and cash from a safe and the pub was set alight as they fled. The Sun (2016)She turned to find her blouse had been set alight and had to frantically pat out the flames. The Sun (2016)Photographs also included the burnt patch of stubble in the field that had been set alight by the firing. Times, Sunday Times (2016)Residents said that fighters had fled, setting it alight as they did so. Times, Sunday Times (2017)If anyone is going to set this show alight now, it is him. Times, Sunday Times (2016)Put some fireworks into your plantings this week to set your plot alight with flaming flowers, foliage and fruits as winter approaches. The Sun (2016)As they poured themselves glasses of alcohol-free champagne, they covered the pile in petrol and set it alight. Times, Sunday Times (2016)An olive grove is alight, fire spreading in the dry heat, and the hillside is consumed by flames. Times, Sunday Times (2017)The songs failed to set the world alight, but they impressed Fleetwood enough for him to invite them to join the band. Times, Sunday Times (2017)But family folk groups do not normally set the charts alight. Times, Sunday Times (2007)The house was also set alight but the fire was extinguished. Times, Sunday Times (2013) Vehicles were set alight and shops looted. The Sun (2014)This would be set alight and the bird served with much pomp and ceremony. Times, Sunday Times (2008)It was easily fired and once alight could be poured down upon the heads of attackers. Kathleen E. Woodiwiss THE WOLF AND THE DOVETourists who cut short their holidays said they had seen buildings alight and crowds of angry demonstrators in the streets. Times, Sunday Times (2011)But why set the building alight? Times, Sunday Times (2011)More recently, he and some pals accidentally set his house alight after a firework prank. The Sun (2011)But the continent has come alight with Chinese enterprise. Times, Sunday Times (2008)Within hours, the speech had set social media alight. Times, Sunday Times (2015)At one point, they set alight a huge bonfire in the middle of the square. Times, Sunday Times (2013)The mule was on holiday, but the fire was alight. Times, Sunday Times (2012)Not quickly enough, if his recent experience of setting his face alight while cooking pasta is anything to go by. Times, Sunday Times (2007)Her gaze alighted on something. Carlos Acosta No Way Home: A Cuban Dancer's Tale (2007)At its peak a further six buses were alight at the Westbourne Park bus garage. Times, Sunday Times (2006)Anne flew to the door, face alight, eyes glowing. LM Montgomery Anne of Green Gables (1872)When firefighters arrived at the scene just after 1am, they found a building and three buses alight. The Sun (2014)When the Indian gentleman looked at her as she entered, he saw that her face was all alight. Frances Hodgson Burnett A Little Princess (1905)A bird had alighted in the sand with a flash of blue and white feather, to peck at something thrown from the train. Aldiss, Brian Somewhere East of Life (1994)I, though, remain on the train and alight one stop northwest. Times, Sunday Times (2012)

Trends of 'alight'

Used Occasionally. alight is one of the 30000 most commonly used words in the Collins dictionary

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Translations for 'alight'

British English: alight ADJECTIVE

If something is alight, it is burning.

The fire was still alight.

American English: alight
Brazilian Portuguese: em chamas
Chinese: 燃烧着的
European Spanish: ardiendo
French: en feu
German: brennend
Italian: acceso
Japanese: 燃えて
Korean: 불붙은
European Portuguese: em chamas
Spanish: ardiendo

British English: alight VERB

If a bird or insect alights somewhere, it lands there.

A thrush alighted on a branch of the pine tree.

American English: alight
Brazilian Portuguese: pousar
Chinese: 降落
European Spanish: posarse
French: se poser
German: sich niederlassen
Italian: posarsi
Japanese: 舞い降りる
Korean: 날아가 앉다
European Portuguese: pousar
Spanish: posarse

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Nearby words of 'alight'

Source

Definition of alight from the Collins English Dictionary

The subjunctive

The subjunctive was formerly used in English for situations that were improbable or that expressed a wish. It is only rarely used in modern British English. It is, however, found in certain set phras...