Word
sunlight
Phoneticssun·light, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈsənˌɫaɪt/
UK/sˈʌnlaɪt/
Definitions
01light from the sun
A1 · Beginner Uncountable noun
n. the natural light that comes from the sun.
n. the visible light and other radiation received from the sun. Uncountable in general use; countable when referring to specific instances or qualities of light.
“The cat sat on the rug, enjoying the warm sunlight coming through the window.”
“The architect designed the atrium to maximise the intake of natural sunlight, reducing the building's reliance on artificial lighting during the winter months.”
Usage
Often used with 'in' or 'into' to describe being exposed to the sun.
02hope or clarity
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. a feeling of hope, happiness, or clear understanding.
n. a figurative state of brightness, hope, or public exposure that brings clarity to a situation.
“After months of bad news, the new job offer was a bit of sunlight in her life.”
“The investigative report finally brought the truth into the sunlight, exposing years of corruption within the local government.”
Usage
Commonly used in the phrase 'the sunlight of...' or 'to bring into the sunlight'.
Synonyms
03to work a second day job
C2 · Proficiency Informal
v. to work at a second job during the day, usually in addition to a main job at night.
v. to hold a secondary job during daylight hours, typically as a counterpart to 'moonlighting' (working a second job at night).
“He works as a security guard at night and sunlights as a gardener to make extra money.”
“While many musicians moonlight as bartenders, he chose to sunlight as a substitute teacher to keep his evenings free for rehearsals.”
Usage
Intransitive verb; often used as a humorous or clever contrast to the more common 'moonlight'.
Synonyms
Etymology
From Middle English sonnelight, sunneliht, from Old English sunnan lēoht (“sunlight”), equivalent to sun + light. Cognate with Dutch zonlicht (“sunlight”), German Low German Sünnenlücht (“sunlight”), German Sonnenlicht (“sunlight”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- 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.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL 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: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- A1 · Beginner
- Updated
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