1. Adjective:
* Less heavy: This is the most common meaning. It describes something that weighs less than something else.
* Less intense or serious: This can describe a color, a feeling, a mood, or a situation.
* Less dark: This often refers to color, but it can also refer to a room or a time of day.
* More joyful or optimistic: This can describe a person's personality or a particular moment.
Examples:
* "The lighter suitcase was easier to carry."
* "She prefers lighter colors in her clothes."
* "The mood in the room became lighter after the announcement."
* "She had a lighter outlook on life after the tragedy."
2. Noun:
* A device for igniting a flame: This is most commonly referred to as a "lighter." It's a small device that uses a spark or flame to ignite fuel like gas, kerosene, or butane.
* A person who has a light complexion or hair color: This is a less common usage, but it still exists.
* A kind of aircraft: This is a less common meaning, and it refers to a specific type of aircraft with a relatively light weight.
Examples:
* "I need a lighter to light the candles."
* "She's a natural blonde, a real lighter."
* "The lighter plane was easier to maneuver."
3. Verb:
* To make something lighter: This could mean making something weigh less, making a color less intense, or making a mood more cheerful.
* To ignite something with a lighter: This is used when you are using a lighter to start a flame.
Examples:
* "The carpenter lightened the load by removing some of the wood."
* "The artist lightened the painting by adding white paint."
* "He lightened the cigarette with a click of his lighter."
To determine the correct meaning of "lighter," it's important to pay attention to the context in which the word is used.