Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “light” come from?

Light comes from Old English lēoht, from Proto-Germanic liuhtijaną, from Proto-Indo-European lewk-, a root meaning to shine or be bright.

light (English): Visible electromagnetic radiation. The human eye...

Definitions

  1. Visible electromagnetic radiation. The human eye...

Ancestry of “light”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle EnglishlihtAlternative form of light
2Middle EnglishlightThe radiation which allows for vision by...
3Old Englishlēohtluminous, bright, light, clear, resplendent,...
4Proto-West Germanicleuhtlight, bright; light
5Proto-Germanicleuhtąlight
6Proto-Indo-Europeanlewktom—
7Proto-Indo-Europeanlewk-bright; to shine; to see

Words derived from “light”

  • lights
  • delight
  • lighting
  • lighter
  • highlight
  • highlighted
  • flashlight
  • lighthouse
  • spotlight
  • lightweight
  • lightest
  • firelight
  • starlight
  • lite
  • skylight
  • delighting
  • lamplight
  • limelight
  • searchlight
  • torchlight
  • footlights
  • lighters
  • lightbulb
  • headlight
Every word from Proto-Indo-European lewk- →