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Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

limelight en · NOUN

Pronunciation

  • (US) audio
  • /ˈlaɪm.laɪt/ (UK, US)

Etymology

From lime + light.

Meanings

  1. (countable, uncountable) The intense white light produced when heating lime in an oxyhydrogen flame.
  2. (countable, uncountable) A type of stage lighting once used in theatres and music halls, producing a bright light by the use of incandescent quicklime.
  3. (broadly, countable, uncountable) Attention, notice, a starring or central role, present fame; spotlight.
    • The announcement marks a significant moment of triumph for the singer, whose departure from the limelight coincided with a health battle […] 2026 March 31, Lisa Respers France, “Celine Dion announces her return to the stage”, in edition.cnn.com:
    • Remember Rappin' Duke? Duh-ha, duh-ha You never thought that hip-hop would take it this far Now I'm in the limelight 'cause I rhyme tight Time to get paid, blow up like the World Trade 1994, 0:41 from the start, in Juicy (Hip Hop), spoken by The Notorious B.I.G.:
    • steal the limelight

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
limelights Number=Plur lexicographic

Deriveds

limelighter · in the limelight · hog the limelight

Synonyms

Drummond light

Translations (41)

de Rampenlicht (attention or notice) · cs reflektor (type of stage lighting) · pt luz de Drummond (type of stage lighting) · pt ribalta (attention or notice) · nb rampelys (attention or notice) · nn kalklys (type of stage lighting) · fi parrasvalot (attention or notice) · sv kalkljus (type of stage lighting) · ja 脚光 (type of stage lighting) · sq qendër e vëmendjes (attention or notice) · nn rampelys (attention or notice) · ca bateria (type of stage lighting) · ka დრამონდის სინათლე (type of stage lighting) · ja ライムライト (type of stage lighting) · el δημοσιότητα (attention or notice) · pt destaque (attention or notice) · de Kalklicht (type of stage lighting) · ka ყურადღების ცენტრი (attention or notice) · pt luz oxídrica (type of stage lighting) · bg център на внимание (attention or notice) · nl spotlicht (attention or notice) · ru свет ра́мпы (type of stage lighting) · ca llum de prosceni (type of stage lighting) · fr feux de la rampe (type of stage lighting) · cmn 聚光燈 /聚光灯 (attention or notice) · pt ribalta (type of stage lighting) · de Rampenlicht (type of stage lighting) · ca centre d'atenció (attention or notice) · sv rampljus (attention or notice) · es luz serena (type of stage lighting) · ru центр внима́ния (attention or notice) · ja フットライト (type of stage lighting) · ca llum de calç (type of stage lighting) · nb kalklys (type of stage lighting) · es luz de candilejas (type of stage lighting) · es candilejas (type of stage lighting) · nl kalklicht (type of stage lighting) · fi kalkkivalo (type of stage lighting) · es luz cálcica (type of stage lighting) · ka რამპის შუქი (type of stage lighting) · it luci della ribalta (type of stage lighting)

limelight en · VERB

Pronunciation

  • (US) audio
  • /ˈlaɪm.laɪt/ (UK, US)

Etymology

From lime + light.

Meanings

  1. to illuminate with limelight

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
limelighted Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
limelighted Tense=Past lexicographic
limelights Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres lexicographic
limelighting Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
limelit Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
limelit Tense=Past lexicographic

Relateds

public eye