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Lighter vs Torch - What's the difference?

lighter | torch |

As nouns the difference between lighter and torch

is that lighter is one who, or that which, lights or lighter can be a flat-bottomed boat for carrying heavy loads across short distances (especially for canals or for loading or unloading larger boats) while torch is a stick with a flame on one end, used chiefly as a light source; a similarly shaped implement with a replaceable supply of flammable material.

As verbs the difference between lighter and torch

is that lighter is to transfer cargo or fuel from a ship, lightening it to make its draft less or to make it easier to refloat while torch is to set fire to, especially by use of a torch (flaming stick).

As an adjective lighter

is (light) or lighter can be (light).

lighter

English

Etymology 1

See

Adjective

(head)
  • (light)
    • I prefer a lighter shade of pink.

    Etymology 2

    See

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • One who, or that which, lights.
    • a lighter of lamps
  • A small, reusable handheld device for creating fire, especially for lighting cigarettes.
    • Cigarette in mouth, he clutched his pockets in search of a lighter .

    Etymology 3

    See ; or possibly from (etyl) luchter

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A flat-bottomed boat for carrying heavy loads across short distances (especially for canals or for loading or unloading larger boats).

    • Verb

    (en verb)
  • To transfer cargo or fuel from a ship, lightening it to make its draft less or to make it easier to refloat.

    • Etymology 4

    See

    Adjective

    (head)
  • (light)
    • What happened? You look 10 lbs. lighter !
    I wish I'd thrown a lighter punch; he's out cold.

    Anagrams

    * relight

    torch

    English

    (wikipedia torch)

    Noun

    (es)
  • A stick with a flame on one end, used chiefly as a light source; a similarly shaped implement with a replaceable supply of flammable material.
    • The mob of angry villagers carried torches and pitchforks to the vampire?s castle.
  • * 1984 June–July, Frances A. Harmon, The Olympic Games - For Good and All'', '' , page 18,
    • Eleven days before the start of the Games, a flaming torch is ignited by the sun in Olympia at the ruins of the ancient Temple of Zeus.
  • * 2007 , Lee Mylne, Frommer?s Portable Australia?s Great Barrier Reef , page 87,
    • Coconut palms with white-painted trunks surround the lagoon, which is lit by flaming torches at night.
  • * 2008 April 22-28, , page 48,
    • The degradation of the torch worldwide— it had to be snuffed out more than once to protect it from protesters—even provoked angry Chinese students to mobilise “150 strong and energetic runners” to defend it in Australia, raising the spectre of violence.
  • (UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa) A portable light source powered by electricity; a flashlight.
    • Ernst slipped and dropped his torch on the flagstones, shattering the bulb and plunging us into darkness.
  • * 2003 , Margo Daly, Anne Dehne, Rough Guide to Australia , page 385,
    • There are no streetlights — so you?ll need to bring a torch with you, or buy one from Joy?s Shop, if you want to venture out at night.
  • * 2006 , Marc Llewellyn, Lee Mylne, Frommer?s Australia from $60 a Day , page 365,
    • It's a good idea to bring a torch (flashlight) and maybe binoculars for wildlife spotting.
  • * 2010 , Nicholas Tailey, Simon O?Connor, Examination Medicine , Elsevier Australia, page 349,
    • Use your pocket torch and shine the light from the side to gauge the reaction to light on both sides.
  • (slang, US) An arsonist.

    • Synonyms

    * (stick with flame at one end) brand * (portable electric light) flashlight (US)

    Derived terms

    * blowtorch * carry a torch for * torchbearer * torchlight * torch runner * torch singer * torch song

    See also

    * handlamp * headlamp

    Verb

    (es)
  • To set fire to, especially by use of a torch (flaming stick).
    • Some hoodlums had torched a derelict automobile, which emitted a ghastly pall of thick, black smoke that filled the street.

    Synonyms

    * (set fire to) burn, firebomb, ignite, inflame, set ablaze