Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “lit” come from?

Lit derives from English literature, which comes from Old Norse hlíta, Latin literatura, and Proto-Indo-European lewk- meaning to shine or see.

lit (English): simple past tense and past participle of light;...

Definitions

  1. simple past tense and past participle of light;...

Ancestry of “lit”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle EnglishlitAlternative form of light
2Old Englishlȳtlittle, few
3Proto-Germaniclūtilazbent; tending to stoop; crouching; little
4Proto-Germanicburgzfortification, stronghold; city
5Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰr̥ǵʰ-—

Words derived from “lit”

  • moonlit
  • sunlit
  • unlit
  • starlit
  • backlit
  • candlelit
  • lamplit
  • firelit
  • litten
  • gaslit
  • torchlit
  • skylit
  • underlit
  • kidlit
  • streetlit
  • headlit
  • litfan
  • matchlit
  • lit-house
  • earthlit
  • litzine
  • litblog
  • cyberlit
  • nonbacklit
Every word from Proto-Indo-European bʰr̥ǵʰ- →