alight

1 of 2

verb

ə-ˈlīt How to pronounce alight (audio)
alighted also alit ə-ˈlit How to pronounce alight (audio) ; alighting
Synonyms of alight

intransitive verb

1
: to come down from something (such as a vehicle): such as
a
: dismount
They alighted from the bus.
b
: deplane
2
: to descend from or as if from the air and come to rest : land, settle
The bird alighted on a branch.
snow alighting on a roof
3
archaic : to come by chance
alightment
ə-ˈlīt-mənt How to pronounce alight (audio)
noun

alight

2 of 2

adjective

1
chiefly British : being on fire
2
: lighted up
The sky was alight with stars.

Synonyms of alight

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Verb

Adjective

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of alight in a Sentence

Verb A group of tourists alighted from the boat. a flock of eight swans circled above, then alighted on the pond Adjective The sky was alight with stars. Enemy soldiers set the building alight.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Four alighted on a paper towel dispenser. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026 Then, while Louise was peering through the letterbox, our mother alighted from the back of a black cab. — Douglas Stuart, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Participants set a ring of fire alight in the street. — Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026 The massive stage comprised three ramps extending the length of a football field that were frequently alight in a Candyland of colors and two oversized video screens flanking a metallic structure that looked like an inverted ski jump. — Edward Segarra, USA Today, 21 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for alight

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English alighten "to descend, get off (of), dismount," going back to Old English alīhtan (transitive) "to lighten, relieve," (intransitive) "to descend, get off (of)," from a-, perfective prefix + līhtan "to make lighter, descend, dismount" — more at abide, light entry 6

Adjective

Middle English alyht, alight, past participle of alighten "to set on fire, kindle, shed spiritual light on," going back to Old English alīhtan "to illuminate, light up," from a-, perfective prefix + līhtan "to shed light, set on fire" — more at abide, light entry 3

Note: In Modern English reanalyzed as a- entry 1 + light entry 1, by analogy with ablaze, afire, aflame.

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of alight was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing alight

Rhymes for alight

See All Rhymes for alight

Browse Nearby Words

Aligarh
alight
a light at the end of the tunnel
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Alight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alight. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

alight

1 of 2 verb
ə-ˈlīt How to pronounce alight (audio)
alighted
-ˈlīt-əd
 also alit ə-ˈlit How to pronounce alight (audio) ; alighting
1
: to get down : dismount
2
: to descend from the air and settle : land
the bird alighted on a twig

alight

2 of 2 adjective
: full of light : lighted up
the sky was alight with stars

More from Merriam-Webster on alight

Nglish: Translation of alight for Spanish Speakers

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