Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

limelight

/ˈlaɪm.laɪt/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.11 in modern English

Syllables
lime-light
IPA
/ˈlaɪm.laɪt/
15
Scrabble Score
9
Letters
2
Syllables
7
Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

The intense white light produced when heating lime in an oxyhydrogen flame.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

A type of stage lighting once used in theatres and music halls, producing a bright light by the use of incandescent quicklime.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

Attention, notice, a starring or central role, present fame; spotlight.

Countable; Uncountable

verb

to illuminate with limelight

Example Sentences

Etymology

From lime + light.

Regional Pronunciation

  • American English: /ˈlaɪm.laɪt/
  • British English: /ˈlaɪm.laɪt/

Usage

Inflected Forms

limelights (plural) limelights (present, singular) limelighting (participle, present) limelighted (participle, past) limelighted (past) limelit (participle, past) limelit (past)

Derived Forms

limelighter

Phrases

hog the limelight in the limelight public eye

Frequently Paired Words

public eye

Synonyms

Drummond light calcium light spotlight glare public eye

Questions

How do you pronounce limelight?
The recorded pronunciation is /ˈlaɪm.laɪt/.
What does limelight mean?
The intense white light produced when heating lime in an oxyhydrogen flame.
Where does limelight come from?
From lime + light.

How to pronounce limelight

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “limelight”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈlaɪm.laɪt/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “limelight”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “limelight” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.