English Explanatory Dictionary

sunlight

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. All the electromagnetic radiation given off by the Sun; especially, that in the visible spectrum and that bathes the Earth.
  2. Brightness, hope; a positive outlook.
  3. Synonym of sunrise.
  4. Synonym of photic (“describing that part of the near-surface ocean in which photosynthesis is possible.”).
verb
  1. To work on the side (at a secondary job) during the daytime.

Pronunciation

/ˈsʌnˌlaɪt/ en-us-sunlight.ogg

Word forms

sunlight sunlights sunlighting sunlighted

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”).

Synonyms

first light sunup daylight sun sunshine sunniness hope optimism daybreak dayspring dawn ass crack of dawn break break of dawn break of day butt crack of dawn cockcrow crack of dawn lauds solrise sparrow-fart sunlight sunrise sunrising photic

Related words

sunbeam

Derived words

Port Sunlight synchro-sunlight sunlight is the best disinfectant
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