lightning
word
/ˈɫaɪtnɪŋ/
LYT-ning
/lˈaɪtnɪŋ/
LYT-ning
Definition
A bright flash of electricity in the sky during a storm. It happens very quickly and is often followed by thunder.
Usage & Nuances
Usually uncountable in general statements: 'There was a lot of lightning.' In everyday use, people may say 'a flash of lightning' for one visible strike. Don't confuse it with 'lightening', which means making something lighter or brighter.
Spanish: rayoPortuguese (BR): relâmpago - raioPortuguese (PT): relâmpago - raioChinese (Simplified): 闪电Chinese (Traditional): 閃電Hindi: बिजली (आकाशीय)Arabic: بَرْقBengali: বজ্রপাতRussian: молнияJapanese: 稲妻 - 雷（いなずま）Vietnamese: tia chớpKorean: 번개Turkish: şimşekUrdu: بجلی (آسمانی بجلی)Indonesian: kilat
Example Sentences
We saw lightning in the sky last night.
basic
The lightning was very bright.
basic
After the lightning, we heard thunder.
basic
That storm had so much lightning that I couldn't sleep.
natural
The lightning knocked out the power for a few hours.
natural
I counted the seconds after the lightning to see how far away the storm was.
natural