Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

lightbulb

/ˈlaɪtˌbʌlb/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.71 in modern English

Syllables: light-bulb
IPA: /ˈlaɪtˌbʌlb/

17

Scrabble Score

9

Letters

2

Syllables

7

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

Alternative spelling of light bulb.

noun

An uninvited third person joining a couple's date who prevents or hinders romantic interactions.

Colloquial

Example Sentences

"A young orangutan in the San Diego Zoo became famous for unbolting the screening of his crib, removing the wires, and moving through the zoo nursery, unscrewing lightbulbs."
"You two go ahead lah, I don't want to be lightbulb."
"When she finally came out her friend joined us. Damn lightbulb leh!"
"Being an extra big light bulb and eating with two cousins and their husband and fiance."

Etymology

Calque from Cantonese 電燈泡／电灯泡 (din6 dang1 paau1), as though the third person is a light bulb in the background.

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈlaɪtˌbʌlb/
British English: /ˈlaɪtˌbʌlb/

Usage

Colloquial

Inflected Forms

lightbulbs (plural)

Phrases

lightbulb joke

Synonyms

gooseberry third wheel light bulb bulb incandescent lamp electric light electric-light bulb

Homonyms

light bulb

Questions

How do you pronounce lightbulb?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈlaɪtˌbʌlb/.
What does lightbulb mean?: Alternative spelling of light bulb.
Where does lightbulb come from?: Calque from Cantonese 電燈泡／电灯泡 (din6 dang1 paau1), as though the third person is a light bulb in the background.

How to pronounce lightbulb

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