see the light Definition

light¹
noun

1. A form of electromagnetic radiation that travels freely through space, and can be absorbed and reflected, especially that part of the spectrum which can be seen with the human eye.
2. Any source of light, such as the Sun, a lamp, a candle, etc.

Thesaurus: lamp, light bulb, lantern, flame, candle, beacon, flare, torch.
3. An appearance of brightness; a shine or gleam.

Example: see a light away in the distance
Thesaurus: illumination, radiance, brightness, luminosity, brilliance.
4. Traffic lights.

Example: turn left at the lights
Form: the lights
5. The time during the day when it is daylight.
6. Dawn.

Thesaurus: dawn, day, daybreak, morning.
7. A particular quality or amount of light.

Example: a good light for taking photographs
8. A flame or spark for igniting.
9. A means of producing a flame for igniting, such as a match.
10. A way in which something is thought of or regarded.

Example: see the problem in a new light
Thesaurus: aspect, angle, slant, frame of reference.
11. A hint, clue or help towards understanding.
12. A glow in the eyes or on the face as a sign of energy, liveliness, happiness or excitement.
13. Someone who is well regarded in a particular field.

Example: a leading light
14. An opening in a wall that lets in light, such as a window.
15. formal
Someone's mental ability, knowledge or understanding.
Example: act according to one's lights
Form: lights

adj

1. Having light; not dark.

Thesaurus: radiant, illuminated, bright; Antonym: dark.
2. Said of a colour: pale; closer to white than black.

verb lit (past tense and past participle), lighted, lighting (present participle)

1. To provide light for something.

Example: light the stage
Thesaurus: illuminate, make visible, irradiate.
tr & intr
2. To begin to burn, or to make something begin to burn.

Example: light the fire
Thesaurus: ignite, inflame, spark, kindle.
3. To guide or show someone the way using a light or torch.
tr & intr
4. To make or become bright, sparkling with liveliness, happiness or excitement.

Derivative: lightish
adj

Derivative: lightness
noun

Idiom: bring something to light

To make it known or cause it to be noticed.

Idiom: come to light

To be made known or discovered.

Idiom: go out like a light

To fall sound asleep soon after going to bed.

Idiom: hide one's light under a bushel

See under bushel.

Idiom: in a good light (in a bad light)

Putting a favourable or unfavourable construction on something.

Idiom: in the light of something

Taking it into consideration.

Idiom: light at the end of the tunnel

An indication of success or completion.

Idiom: lights out

A bugle or trumpet call for lights to be put out.

The time at night when lights in a dormitory or barracks have to be put out.

Idiom: see the light

To understand something.

To have a religious conversion.

Idiom: see the light of day

To be born, discovered or produced.

To come to public notice.

Idiom: shed light on something (throw light on something)

To make it clear or help to explain it.

Idiom: strike a light!

(hiefly Austral)
slang
Expressing surprise.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon leoht.

Phrasal Verb: light up

To light (a cigarette, etc) and begin smoking.

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see¹
verb saw (past tense), seen (past participle), seeing

1. To perceive by the sense operated in the eyes.

Thesaurus: observe, behold, view, gaze at, stare at, espy, regard, notice, witness, scrutinize, survey, contemplate.
intr
2. To have the power of vision.
tr & intr
3. To perceive mentally; to understand or realize

Example: Don't you see what she's trying to do?
Thesaurus: comprehend, grasp, apprehend, perceive, understand, discern, ascertain, recognize.
4. To watch.

Example: We're going to see a play
5. To be aware of or know, especially by looking or reading.

Example: I see from your letter that you're married
tr & intr
6. To find out; to learn.

Example: We'll have to see what happens
7. To predict; to expect.

Example: We could see what was going to happen
8. To meet up with someone; to spend time with someone.

Example: I haven't seen her for ages
Thesaurus: encounter, meet with, visit, receive
9. To spend time with someone regularly, especially romantically.

Example: He's been seeing her for quite a while now
10. To speak to someone; to consult.

Example: He's asking to see the manager
11. To receive as a visitor or client.

Example: The doctor will see you now
12. To make sure of something.

Example: See that you lock the door
13. To imagine, and often also to regard as likely.

Example: I can still see her as a little girl
Example: I can't see him agreeing
14. To consider.

Example: I see her more as an acquaintance than a friend
15. To encounter or experience.

Example: She's seen too much pain in her life
16. To be witness to something as a sight or event.

Example: We're now seeing huge increases in unemployment
17. To escort.

Example: I'll see you home
Thesaurus: escort, accompany, attend.
18. To refer to (the specified page, chapter, etc) for information.

Example: see page five
19. cards.
To match the bet of someone by staking the same sum.
Example: I'll see you and raise you five

Idiom: see fit to do something

To think it appropriate or proper to do it.

Idiom: see red

See under red.

Idiom: see the light

To discover religious feelings within oneself.

To recognize and adopt the merits of a widely held point of view.

humorous
To eventually come to understand and agree with someone else.

Idiom: see things

To have hallucinations.

Idiom: see you later

colloq
An expression of temporary farewell.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon seon.

Phrasal Verb: see about something

To attend to a matter or concern.

Phrasal Verb: see into something

To investigate it; to look into it.

Phrasal Verb: see something in someone

To find an attractive feature in them.
Example: I don't know what he sees in her

Phrasal Verb: see someone off

To accompany them to their place of departure.
Example: saw her off at the airport
To get rid of them by force.
Example: saw the burgler off
Example: saw the cat off

Phrasal Verb: see someone out

To escort them out of the room, etc.To outlive them.

Phrasal Verb: see something out

To stay until the end of it.

Phrasal Verb: see over something

To inspect it; to look over it.

Phrasal Verb: see through something

To discern what is implied by an idea or scheme, etc.To detect or determine the truth underlying a lie.
Example: I saw through your plan straight away

Phrasal Verb: see something through

To participate in it to the end.

Phrasal Verb: see to something

To attend to it; to take care of it
Example: Will you see to it?