English · Word Candidate

lighter

/ˈlaɪtɚ/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: lighters · lightering · lightered

Sense 1

Meaning · English

A person who lights things.

Noun

Examples

a lighter of lamps

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

A device used to light things, especially a reusable handheld device for creating fire to light cigarettes.

Noun

Examples

Cigarette in mouth, he clutched his pockets in search of a lighter.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

A flat-bottomed boat for carrying heavy loads across short distances (especially for canals or for loading or unloading larger boats).

Noun

Examples

It is, of course, possible to work only to or from lighters in this way, and such working is not very general in this country, although a certain amount of such overside work is carried on in enclosed docks.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

To transfer (cargo or passengers) to or from a ship by means of a lighter or other small vessel.

Verb

Examples

1900. Report of the Commission Appointed by the President to Investigate the Conduct of the War Department in the War with Spain. Vol. 7, pg. 3227. Troops and stores were lightered to the wharves inside the harbor by steamers Orizaba and Berkshire.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “lighter” mean?

A person who lights things.

Is “lighter” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.