A1 noun Neutral

lighting

/ˈlaɪtɪŋ/

Lighting refers to the arrangement or type of light in a place, such as a room or an art studio. It is used to make things visible and to create a specific mood or atmosphere in art and design.

Examples

3 of 5
1

The lighting in the living room is very bright and cozy.

The lighting in the living room is very bright and cozy.

2

The museum uses special lighting to protect the old paintings from damage.

The museum uses special lighting to protect the old paintings from damage.

3

I really love the soft lighting in this small cafe.

I really love the soft lighting in this small cafe.

Word Family

Noun
lighting
Verb
light
Adverb
lightly
Adjective
lit
Related
light
💡

Memory Tip

Think of the 'light' in 'lighting' as the thing that helps you see the 'ing' (the action/scene).

Quick Quiz

The _______ in the art gallery makes the statues look very dramatic.

Correct!

The correct answer is: lighting

Examples

1

The lighting in the living room is very bright and cozy.

everyday

The lighting in the living room is very bright and cozy.

2

The museum uses special lighting to protect the old paintings from damage.

formal

The museum uses special lighting to protect the old paintings from damage.

3

I really love the soft lighting in this small cafe.

informal

I really love the soft lighting in this small cafe.

4

The research paper discusses how natural lighting affects the mood of the viewer.

academic

The research paper discusses how natural lighting affects the mood of the viewer.

5

Our company needs to install better lighting in the warehouse for safety.

business

Our company needs to install better lighting in the warehouse for safety.

Word Family

Noun
lighting
Verb
light
Adverb
lightly
Adjective
lit
Related
light

Common Collocations

natural lighting natural lighting
soft lighting soft lighting
studio lighting studio lighting
dim lighting dim lighting
outdoor lighting outdoor lighting

Common Phrases

mood lighting

mood lighting

street lighting

street lighting

track lighting

track lighting

Often Confused With

lighting vs lightning

Lightning is the flash of electricity in the sky during a storm, while lighting refers to lamps and illumination.

📝

Usage Notes

Use 'lighting' when talking about the quality or equipment used to provide light in a space. It is usually treated as an uncountable noun.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often add an 'n' and spell it as 'lightning', which is a weather event. They also sometimes try to make it plural, but 'lightings' is rarely used.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the 'light' in 'lighting' as the thing that helps you see the 'ing' (the action/scene).

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the Middle English word 'lighten', which comes from the Old English 'leoht', meaning to make bright.

Grammar Patterns

Uncountable noun Often preceded by adjectives (e.g., natural, bright, poor) Used with the verb 'to be' or 'to have'
🌍

Cultural Context

In art history, the use of lighting (like chiaroscuro) is a major technique used by famous painters to create drama.

Quick Quiz

The _______ in the art gallery makes the statues look very dramatic.

Correct!

The correct answer is: lighting

More art words

painting

A1

A painting is a picture that someone makes using paint. It is usually created on a surface like paper or canvas and is considered a piece of art.

sculpture

A1

A sculpture is a three-dimensional piece of art made by shaping or carving materials like stone, wood, metal, or clay. Unlike a painting, you can walk around a sculpture and see it from many different angles.

sketch

A1

A simple drawing that is done quickly and without many details. It is often used as a rough draft or a plan for a more finished piece of art.

portrait

A1

A portrait is a painting, drawing, or photograph of a person, usually focusing on the face and shoulders. It is created to show what the person looks like and often to express their personality.

landscape

A1

A landscape is a painting, photograph, or view of a wide area of land. In art, it usually shows natural scenes like mountains, trees, and rivers instead of people.

still life

A1

A still life is a type of art, such as a painting or photograph, that shows objects that do not move. Common subjects include everyday items like fruit, flowers, bottles, or bowls.

cubism

A1

Cubism is a style of modern art that shows objects and people as simple geometric shapes like cubes, triangles, and circles. Instead of looking realistic from one side, the art shows the subject from many different angles at the same time.

surrealism

A1

Surrealism is a style of art and literature that mixes real objects in strange or impossible ways, like in a dream. It aims to show the power of the imagination and the hidden thoughts of the mind.

contemporary art

A1

Contemporary art is art produced at the present period in time. It includes works made by artists living today and reflects the issues of our modern world.

easel

A1

An easel is a wooden or metal frame that stands on three legs. It is used to hold a canvas or a board while an artist is painting or drawing on it.

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