lantern

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "lantern" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a portable light source, usually enclosed in a protective casing and often powered by a candle or battery. Example: "As the sun set, they lit their lanterns and continued their hike through the dark forest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

That means that a street lantern can switch on and off depending on how busy the street is: if nobody is there, they dim, but as soon as a car, bike or pedestrian approaches, they turn themselves on and accompany the vehicle or person on his way.

The Guardian

But look again: it is the manmade world – a lantern and a wooden bridge – which lead Lucy astray.

The Guardian - Books

As it does so, the age pyramid becomes like a Chinese lantern, the ideal shape for economic development, since it maximises the number of working-age people in relation to dependants, both young and old.In the developing world, this first occurred in East Asian countries like South Korea after fertility started to plunge in the 1960s.

The Economist

The meeting was in darkness, except for a small lantern near Gandhi.India never fully shared Gandhi's dream of a small-scale, self-sufficient economy, its swadeshi (own-country) garments made of hand-spun yarn hand-woven on home looms.

The Economist

Mr Kerry needs to stick out his lantern jaw and proclaim that America will pay any price and bear any burden to defeat terrorism.Mr Kerry won his Silver Star by ordering his patrol boat straight into a Vietcong ambush, all guns blazing.

The Economist

Well, these days a good military record and a lantern jaw go a long way.On July 7th some 500 groups across the country will gather in coffee bars and libraries to talk about why General Wesley Clark should be the next president of America.

The Economist

But he is hardly a peacenik, having supported sending troops into Bosnia, Kosovo, Panama, Somalia and Haiti.Add to his military credentials a towering frame, an impressive head of hair, a lantern jaw and decent debating skills, and you almost have a presidential candidate from central casting.

The Economist

When he was a boy, he had to study by lantern light.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

A tall Asian woman in a spangly white dress takes the stage and belts out a "Kheppi Birsdey" to Georgi, a lantern-jawed young man in a shiny, form-fitting shirt, who rises obligingly.She gestures next towards a table in the centre of the room and announces that we have a very special guest with us tonight: a man who is celebrating his 120th birthday.

The Economist

The lantern-jawed senator from Massachusetts has years of experience in the Senate, a dramatically good war record in Vietnam and the backing of much of what passes for the Democratic establishment.

The Economist

In an informal test of solar lights carried out by The Economist in Africa, users grumbled about the soapy quality of light and lantern-style design.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a scene, use "lantern" to evoke a sense of traditional lighting or a rustic atmosphere, especially if the light source is enclosed and portable. For example: "The campsite was illuminated by the warm glow of several lanterns."

Common error

Avoid using "lantern" when referring to fixed lighting fixtures like ceiling lights or wall sconces. "Lantern" specifically denotes a portable, enclosed light source. Use "lamp" or "light" for more general applications.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "lantern" is as a noun, typically referring to a portable light source enclosed in a protective casing. Ludwig examples show its use in describing both physical objects and metaphorical concepts of illumination.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

17%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lantern" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun. According to Ludwig, its primary function is to describe a portable, enclosed light source, often evoking a sense of traditional lighting or a rustic ambiance. While versatile, it's important to avoid using it for fixed lighting fixtures. The term appears frequently in News & Media, Encyclopedias and Science as per the Ludwig examples. Ludwig AI indicates the word is correctly and commonly used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

portable light

Focuses on the portability aspect of a lantern.

handheld lamp

Highlights the hand-carried nature of some lanterns.

light source

A more general term for anything that emits light.

illuminating device

Emphasizes the function of providing illumination.

beacon of light

Implies a guiding or signaling function.

kerosene lamp

Specifies a type of lantern using kerosene.

oil lamp

Similar to kerosene lamp but more general.

electric lamp

Specifies that the light source uses electricity.

gas lamp

Specifies that the light source uses gas.

flashlight

A common battery-powered portable light.

FAQs

How to use "lantern" in a sentence?

You can use "lantern" to describe a portable light source. For example: "They carried a "portable light" to guide them through the dark woods."

What can I say instead of "lantern"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like ""portable light"", "handheld lamp", or "light source".

What is the difference between "lantern" and "lamp"?

"Lantern" typically refers to a portable light source with a protective enclosure, while "lamp" can refer to any device that produces light, including fixed lighting fixtures. Therefore a "handheld lamp" can be a lantern, but a ceiling light is generally never called a "lantern".

Is it correct to use "lantern" to describe modern electric lights?

While traditionally "lantern" referred to lights powered by flame, it can also be used to describe electric lights that mimic the design and portability of traditional lanterns.