“Lighted” is the past tense and past participle of the verb “light” (when “light” means to cause to start burning or to give light to). Here are some synonyms and their explanations:
1. Illuminated
- Explanation: “Illuminated” means to light up or make bright. It often has a more formal or literary tone. For example, “The room was illuminated by a chandelier.” This emphasizes a state of being lit in a way that provides brightness and clarity. When a space is illuminated, it's not just simply lit but often implies a more purposeful or decorative lighting. It can also be used in a more metaphorical sense, such as “Her smile illuminated the whole room,” where it means to brighten in a non - physical way.
2. Lit
- Explanation: “Lit” is a very common and simple synonym for “lighted.” It's the past tense and past participle of “light” in more informal usage. For example, “The candles were lit on the table.” It's a straightforward way to say that something has been made to give off light. The difference between “lit” and “lighted” is quite subtle. “Lighted” is sometimes preferred in more formal or traditional contexts, but “lit” is widely used in both spoken and written English.
3. Glowing
- Explanation: “Glowing” implies a soft, steady light that seems to come from within or radiate. For example, “The embers in the fireplace were glowing.” It gives a sense of a warm, often pleasant light that persists over a period of time. It's different from a sudden flash of light and more about a continuous, gentle luminosity. It can also be used metaphorically, like “She had a glowing complexion,” where it means a healthy and radiant look.
4. Radiant
- Explanation: “Radiant” means sending out light in all directions. It often conveys a sense of brightness and energy. For example, “The sun was radiant in the clear sky.” This emphasizes the idea of light being emitted strongly and widely. It can also have a more figurative meaning related to a person's appearance or mood, such as “She was radiant with happiness,” meaning she had a bright and positive aura.
5. Ablaze
- Explanation: “Ablaze” means on fire or brightly lit in a more intense and vivid way. For example, “The building was ablaze with flames.” It's a stronger term than the others, suggesting a very bright and often dangerous or dramatic lighting situation. It can also be used metaphorically to describe a place or a person that is very active or full of energy, like “The city was ablaze with excitement during the festival.”