Word
Definition
n. a very bright light that can be moved to look for things in the dark. It is often used by police, ships, or at large events.
n. a powerful, narrow beam of light produced by a large lamp and a parabolic mirror, used for illumination or signaling. Often used metaphorically to describe intense public or media scrutiny.
Examples
“The searchlight swept across the field in the dark.”
“The lighthouse keeper used a searchlight to signal the approaching ship through the thick fog.”
“The scandal was brought into the public searchlight after the journalist published the leaked documents, forcing the politician to resign from the committee.”
Examples
simple
“The searchlight swept across the field in the dark.”
contextual
“The lighthouse keeper used a searchlight to signal the approaching ship through the thick fog.”
complex
“The scandal was brought into the public searchlight after the journalist published the leaked documents, forcing the politician to resign from the committee.”
Real-World Examples
“Early automotive lamps were less like searchlights and more like dim lanterns politely suggesting that there may or may not be a vehicle present.” Etymology
From search + light. Compare West Frisian sykljocht (“searchlight”), Dutch zoeklicht (“searchlight”), Danish søgelys (“searchlight”), Swedish sökarljus (“searchlight”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/searchlight
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0