carry light: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Neutral to formal in literal use; literary or figurative in extended use.
Quick answer
What does “carry light” mean?
To hold or transport a source of illumination.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To hold or transport a source of illumination.
To be responsible for bearing illumination or clarity, often in a metaphorical sense. It can mean to serve as a guide or source of understanding, or to be easily transportable (of a light object).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Both varieties use it literally. The phrase is not regionally specific.
Connotations
Figurative use ('carry the light of knowledge') has a slightly formal, elevated connotation in both varieties.
Frequency
Low frequency as a set phrase in both. More common as separate words in a sentence (e.g., 'carry a light').
Grammar
How to Use “carry light” in a Sentence
[Subject] + carry + [Determiner] + light + [Adjunct] (e.g., *She carried the light ahead of us*).[Subject] + carry + [Object] + light (in weight) (e.g., *The parcel carries light*).Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “carry light” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Please carry the torch while I unlock the shed.
- The guide carried a storm lantern along the dark trail.
American English
- Could you carry the flashlight for me?
- The ranger carried a powerful searchlight.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in safety instructions: 'Always carry a light in unlit storage areas.'
Academic
Rare in literal sense. Figuratively in humanities: 'The text carries the light of ancient wisdom.'
Everyday
Literal instruction or description: 'Can you carry the light so I can see the path?'
Technical
In photography/film: 'A battery-powered carry light was used on location.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “carry light”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “carry light”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “carry light”
- Incorrect: 'He carries light bag.' (Missing article/determiner) Correct: 'He carries a light bag.' or 'His bag carries light.' (adjective position changes meaning).
- Overusing the figurative sense in everyday conversation.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a phrase consisting of the verb 'carry' and the noun 'light'. It is not a single compound word.
Not directly. That concept is 'travel light'. 'Carry light' would be parsed as 'carry something that is light (in weight)'.
No, it is relatively rare and belongs to a more literary or rhetorical register.
'Carry a light' is the standard literal phrase (with an article). 'Carry light' without an article is less common and often appears in figurative or poetic contexts, or in specific compounds (e.g., 'carry-light' as a noun for equipment).
To hold or transport a source of illumination.
Carry light is usually neutral to formal in literal use; literary or figurative in extended use. in register.
Carry light: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkær.i ˌlaɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkæri ˌlaɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Carry a torch for someone (idiomatically different, meaning to have romantic feelings).”
- “Carry the light (figurative: to be an example or source of knowledge).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a LIGHT-bulb you have to CARRY because there's no socket. You CARRY the LIGHT.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE/TRUTH IS LIGHT; TO GUIDE IS TO CARRY A LIGHT.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'carry light' used figuratively?