# lighter

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈlaɪtɚ/ · frequency rank #6,161

## Definitions
1. A person who lights things.
2. A device used to light things, especially a reusable handheld device for creating fire to light cigarettes.

## Etymology
From light (“to ignite”) + -er. Cognate with Middle Dutch lichtere, lichter (“one who spreads light, illuminator”), Dutch lichter, luchter (“candle-holder, chandelier”). Compare also Middle English lightnere, liȝtnere (“one who enlightens or illuminates”).

## Easily confused with
- **liter** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lighter-vs-liter)
- **lights** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lighter-vs-lights)
- **litter** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lighter-vs-litter)
- **lister** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lighter-vs-lister)
- **lightly** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lighter-vs-lightly)
- **light** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/light-vs-lighter)
- **lifter** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lifter-vs-lighter)
- **lighten** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lighten-vs-lighter)
- **lighted** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lighted-vs-lighter)
- **laughter** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/laughter-vs-lighter)

## Common misspellings (11)
`ilghter`, `lgihter`, `ligghter`, `lighetr`, `lighhter`, `lighterr`, `lightre`, `lightter`, `ligther`, `lihgter`, `llighter`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/lighter