Definition

A device that produces light when electricity passes through it, typically used in lamps and fixtures.

Example

I need to replace the lightbulb in the living room because it burned out.

Conversation

I just changed the lightbulb in the kitchen and it looks great now.

Nice! It must be so much brighter in there now.

Yeah, I can finally see what I'm cooking!

That's awesome! A good lightbulb makes all the difference.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Lightbulb → It is formed from "light" (from Old English "leoht", meaning illumination or brightness) and "bulb" (from Latin "bulbus", meaning bulb or rounded object). The word "lightbulb" refers to a rounded object that produces illumination.

Memory Tip

Think of 'light' as illumination and 'bulb' as a rounded object that produces that light — a lightbulb is an object that gives off light.

Visually Confused Words