alight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "alight" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is on fire or to indicate that someone has descended from a vehicle. Example: "The campfire was alight with bright flames, illuminating the surrounding area."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As they drove off, the perfect manicured lawn of the Marylands guesthouse next door caught alight almost instantaneously, as if the fire itself was liquid, spilling across its surface.

The Guardian

I recall seeing a play in which one had to smoke a large Cuban cigar; his hands shook so much that he dropped the lighted match down the front of his sports shirt, setting his chest hair alight.

The Guardian

In east Belfast, a passing po lice patrol rescued two elderly Protestant sisters when a petrol bomb set their home alight.

The Guardian

Last year, the Maltese army was deployed during the spring shoot after recent years in which naturalists had their cars set alight and a BirdLife Malta warden was shot in the face.

The Guardian

Presumably working on the assumption that, if Cowell touches it, any old shit will turn to gold, the industry has a right to be baffled as to why a film about a talking dog has failed to set the multiplexes alight.

The Guardian - Film

Meanwhile, Small drove two miles to a warehouse car park, where he set himself alight inside his car.

The Guardian

Osborne didn't set the heather alight, but nor did he intend to.

The Guardian - Opinion

Network Rail said that by 10.30am on 27 December Finsbury Park had become so crowded that passengers on arriving trains were not able to alight.

The Guardian

On Wednesday evening the Police Service of Northern Ireland had to fire baton rounds to disperse a mob of up to 1,000 loyalists in Carrickfergus, East Antrim after the local Alliance constituency office there was set alight.

The Guardian

On Monday evening, I watched people mindlessly destroy the Pembury estate in Hackney, where I live – setting cars alight, destroying the local newsagents and damaging nearby buildings.

The Guardian - Opinion

Her limbs, fingers and dental arch were removed, and her body set alight.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "alight" to mean 'to set fire,' be mindful of the context. It's often used in a more literary or descriptive sense rather than in everyday conversation. For clarity, consider using "set on fire" in less formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid confusing "alight", which means 'to descend' or 'to catch fire', with "alright", an informal way of saying 'all right'. Using the wrong word can significantly alter the meaning of your sentence.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "alight" is as a verb, indicating the act of descending or landing, or as an adjective, describing something that is burning or illuminated. Ludwig confirms that the word is correctly used in contemporary English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "alight" functions as both a verb, meaning to descend or disembark, and an adjective, meaning to be on fire or illuminated. Ludwig confirms that "alight" is grammatically correct. Its usage is common across various contexts, particularly in news and media, and possesses a neutral to formal register. While generally correct, it's important to avoid confusing "alight" with "alright" and to be mindful of the context when using it to mean 'to set fire.' Alternatives such as "get off", "dismount", "set ablaze" or "catch fire" can provide clarity in certain situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Dismount

Specifically refers to getting off a horse or bicycle.

Descend

A more formal term for coming down from a height or vehicle.

Set ablaze

Implies a deliberate act of setting something on fire.

Get off

A more informal way to describe dismounting or exiting a vehicle.

Debark

A formal term for leaving a ship or aircraft.

Ignite

A more formal word for starting a fire.

Land

Describes the action of an aircraft or bird coming to the ground.

Catch fire

Describes the beginning of a fire.

Burst into flames

Emphasizes the suddenness and intensity of a fire.

Perch

To settle or rest on something, especially for birds.

FAQs

How can I use "alight" in a sentence?

You can use "alight" to describe someone getting off a vehicle, as in "Passengers began to alight from the train". You can also use it to describe something catching fire, such as "The forest caught alight after the lightning strike".

What does "alight" mean when referring to fire?

When referring to fire, "alight" means that something has caught fire and is burning. It's often used in a descriptive or literary context.

Which is correct, "alight" or "a light"?

"Alight" is a verb or adjective meaning 'to descend' or 'on fire', while "a light" is a noun phrase referring to a source of illumination. They have completely different meanings and are not interchangeable.

What can I say instead of "alight" when talking about dismounting?

You can use alternatives like "get off", "dismount", or "descend" depending on the context and level of formality.