# lit

/ˈɫɪt/ (US) · /lˈɪt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/lit
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 2. exciting or fun

adjective · CEFR B2 · Slang · Informal

used to describe a party or event that is very exciting, fun, or high-energy.

For teachers: denoting a social event or atmosphere characterized by high energy, excitement, or excellence.

- The concert last night was totally lit; the crowd never stopped dancing.
- Social media was flooded with clips from the festival, with fans claiming the headline set was the most lit performance of the year.

### 3. intoxicated

adjective · CEFR C1 · Slang · Informal

feeling the effects of drinking alcohol or using drugs.

For teachers: intoxicated by alcohol or drugs; often used in social contexts to describe a state of being high or drunk.

- He got a bit too lit at the wedding and started singing loudly.
- The security guards were instructed to turn away anyone who appeared visibly lit before they reached the club entrance.

### 4. literature

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a short way of saying 'literature', often used when talking about school subjects.

For teachers: a clipping of 'literature', frequently used in academic or casual contexts to refer to the study of written works.

- I have a lot of reading to do for my English lit class this week.
- She decided to major in comparative lit after discovering a passion for nineteenth-century Russian novels during her first year.

Usage: Often used in compound phrases like 'English lit' or 'lit class'.

## Examples

- The concert last night was totally lit.
- Everyone was dancing and the music was great; the whole party was lit.
- While traditional critics dismissed the festival's chaotic energy, younger attendees took to social media to declare the entire weekend absolutely lit.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.