‘Light’ and ‘lite’ are two words that get used a lot when people talk about food. In particular, they should be used carefully because there is an important distinction between them. To try to clear things up, let’s take a look at lite vs light.
Lite: What does it mean?
Merriam-Webster defines the word ‘lite’ as “relatively low in saturated fat and calories compared to similar products.” It can also mean “not heavy or rich,” So if you’re looking for a snack with few calories, go for something that’s lite. The definition of ‘light’, on the other hand, means “brightness or illumination from a source”. Therefore, if you’re trying to eat fewer calories, go for something that’s light, not lite. A potato chip labeled as ‘light’ would be low in fat and calories. A potato chip labeled as ‘lite’ would be low in the sense of being not heavy.
Lite: How is it used?
In general, people use lite either when they are trying to lose weight or to describe a version of a product that has a reduced amount of something (such as fat or alcohol). If you replace a fatty ingredient with a lighter one – such as using lite cream cheese instead of regular – then your recipe becomes lite because there is less saturated fat going into your dish. In some cases, lite or light may be used to describe a specific food product.
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For example, if you’re looking for low-fat potato chips, you might choose lite Lay’s potato chips. An alternative way to express the idea of ‘low fat is to use the term ‘reduced’, as in reduced-fat potato chips.
Light: What does it mean?
‘Light’ is defined as “of comparatively little weight or thickness; thin”. Synonyms for this word include: flimsy, delicate, and slender.
For example, you might say that a light scarf would be one that’s not very warm – it wouldn’t be appropriate for winter conditions. If your friend tells you she was walking home from work and almost got robbed, you might say that she had a dark night – the opposite of something cheerful – but her story ends on a light note because she escaped unharmed.
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So keep in mind: if someone is referring to how much (or how little) fat there is in food, then they are talking about ‘lite’. On the other hand, if someone is referring to something positive or negative that is happening, then they are talking about ‘light’.
Light: How is it used?
People often use lite when they’re talking about food. For example, if you’re trying to eat healthier, go for something that’s low-fat, which would be lite. There are also certain foods – such as light beer – that have been modified to reduce fat, sugar, and/or calories. Another term for this is reduced-calorie.
But remember: if someone is saying that something makes them feel happy or positive, they are talking about ‘light’. So if your favorite team – the lite bays – wins a game, then you’ll be in a light mood for the rest of the day.
Lite vs Light: A Summary
‘Light’ and ‘lite’ can be used to refer to food and drinks, as well as other things.
If there is less fat, sugar, or calories in something, then it’s low-fat. If people are feeling cheerful, gleeful, or elated, then they are in a light mood.
And now that you know what these two words mean, you can use them more effectively when you’re speaking about your diet, how you’re feeling, or to describe a food.
10 Differences Between Lite and Light
1. Lite is more of an adjective that refers to the sense of being not-heavy(e.g., lite beer)
2. Light can be used as an adjective or a noun (the light/lights in the tunnel). When it’s used as a noun, it generally refers to something positive (e.g., The lights went on at the end of the tunnel).
3. Lights generally refer to cheering up or providing relief from sadness or trouble (e.g., The lights came on when I reached home and I could see my mom through the window). Or, they might refer to lessening darkness(e.g., The room was dark until I turned on the lights.
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4. Lights usually describe the illumination of an area (e.g., I turned on the lights in the room.
5. Hopes, dreams, and expectations are often associated with lite(s) (i.e., Shimmering lites at the end of the rainy tunnel that leads into a better life; The lite was shining through to reach their hearts).
6. Light is used as a noun or an adjective–a light that emits from a bulb or torch or is bright/cheerful/easy-going.
7. Lights refer to certain parts of the body such as eyelids and eyes.
8. In terms of weight – light generally denotes something below average weight – skinny – having little substance – flimsy – insubstantial – slight – mild – thin
9. Light usually refers to being below average weight, but can also mean not having enough fat (e.g., lite beer) or calories (e.g., lite cream cheese).
10. Lights is the plural of the word ‘light’. For example: “The lights were off at home when I got back” and “I saw their lights down the road as they approached”. Lites is not a correct term and should not be used. This mistake is often made by speakers who think that Lite must always be accompanied by an ‘S’ for it to become plural; however, that’s incorrect thinking because there are many words in English that end in an ‘S’ sound that do not require an ‘S’ for pluralization.
10 Similarities Between Lite and Light
1. Both words are nouns, verbs, or adjectives
2. Both describe something positive
3. Lite indicates a lessening of weight, but light does not necessarily have to indicate an object that is heavy (e.g., I bought the light tube).
4. The lite beer has lower calories than regular beers.
5. Light is associated with illumination while lite may not be
6. Lite beer has fewer calories than the regular version of this beverage.
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7. Lights are used to increase illumination, while lites are never used in this way (it’s considered incorrect) during a conversation or dialogue.
8. Both words can be used as verbs, but the light is more commonly used in that capacity
9. Lite is more of an adjective rather than a noun
10. Both refer to being ‘not heavy’ or having little substance/flimsiness/gravity etc., but light does not necessarily have to mean something that is insubstantial(e.g., I bought the light tube). Beer made from reduced quantities of ingredients is lite beer. Lights are for illuminating, while lites have no role to play in illumination.
Final Thoughts
It is best to avoid using ‘lite’ in general, but it’s important to use the word correctly when talking about weight loss.
Light has two different meanings depending on context. It can be used as a verb or an adjective, whereas lite is only used as an adjective that implies something that doesn’t have enough substance or as an adjective that describes food and drinks.
Light is always associated with illumination, but lite may or may not be used in association with a lack of illumination. Both words can be used as verbs, but the light seems to be more commonly used in this capacity. Lite is more of an adjective than a noun, whereas light can function as both a noun and a verb.
