Lightning vs. Lightening – How to Use Each Correctly

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Lightning vs. Lightening – What’s the Gist?

These two English near homophones are not interchangeable because they not only have different spellings but also have different meanings.

  • Lightning is primarily used as a noun.
  • Lightening functions as a verb.

Although these words function as a primary part of speech, they have other denotations as well.

lightning versus lightening

How to Use Lightning in a Sentence

Lightning definition: The word lightning \līt ning\ functions as a noun, meaning a flash of light that precedes a rumble of thunder; or a sudden stroke of good fortune. As an adjective, it means moving with suddenness or speed. As an intransitive verb, it denotes a flash of lightning.

For example:

  • The lightning flashed across the sky, moving from the west to the east. (Noun)
  • Practicing for the qualifier, the sprinter ran lightning fast. (Adjective)
  • The cloud lightninged suddenly. (Past Tense Verb)

The word lightning brings to mind a quotation from Mark Twain about precision in communication. Twain said, “The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter—it’s the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.”

The same could be said between these two words: lightning and lightening.

How to Use Lightening in a Sentence

Lightening definition: The word lighten, from which the term lightening \lī tən ing\ is derived, functions as a verb, meaning to make light or clear or illuminate; or to grow lighter; or to relieve of a burden either in whole or part; or to cheer or gladden.

For example:

  • The sky began to lighten in the east. (Infinitive)
  • The main character’s load in Pilgrim’s Progress lightened when the burden he was carrying fell off his back. (Past Tense Verb)
  • The woman’s face lightened when she saw her grandson. (Past Tense Verb)

Lightening is a three-syllable word, whereas lightning is a two-syllable word.

Outside Examples of Lightning vs. Lightening

  • Thunderstorms packing heavy rains and lightning caused widespread flooding across Egypt on Thursday, killing at least five people and injuring five others, officials said as authorities shuttered schools, government offices and an airport. –Houston Chronicle
  • Remote boosters say messaging tools like Slack can make it easier for colleagues to share high-fives and praise. At photo book provider Chatbooks, emojis are used with abundance to offer encouragement—an arm flex, a lightning bolt, a raised-hands “hallelujah.” A GIF of a heavily bearded Robert Redford smiling and nodding with approval—one taken from the 1972 movie “Jeremiah Johnson,” which was shot at Mount Timpanogos, near their company’s offices—is especially popular in-house. –The Wall Street Journal
  • “But we didn’t think there was any harm in lightening the mood a bit in view of the fact that we’re all in this together,” he said. “We’re going to get through this together, and this is a way of also helping to convey that message,” [Mayor Jonathan Busch] said. –The Star-Ledger
  • Sproles made a few changes during his stay, lightening up the living spaces with neutral hues and modern fixtures. In nearly 9,000 square feet, the home holds six bedrooms and eight bathrooms spread across a single story. –Los Angeles Times

Phrases That Use Lightning and Lightening

Even though there aren’t any common phrases for the word lightening, there are several phrases that use the word lightning or lighten, including:

Lightning quick: Incredibly fast.

  • The teenaged boy shut his computer lightning quick when his mother walked in the room.

Lightning never strikes the same place twice: The possibility that something either good or bad will happen the same way more than once is unlikely.

  • Understanding that lightning never strikes the same place twice, the gambler enjoyed the huge jackpot.

Lighten up: To stop acting so seriously or over maturely.

  • The sorority sister had a judgmental look on her face, causing her peers to say, “Lighten up. It’s just a joke.”

Lighten the load: To take part of the burden or to share part of the load to help someone else.

  • During the crisis, the lieutenant governor lightened the load of the governor by speaking at press conferences and heading the task force.

Lightning Rod: A metal rod designed to absorb the strike of lightning. Many people mistakenly spell the term lightening rod.

How to Remember These Words

In spite of being spelled similarly, these words do not share the same definitions and cannot be substituted for one another.

A helpful mnemonic device is to remember that lightning \līt ning\ has only two syllables. On the other hand, the word lightening \lī tən ing\ is three syllables. Just like a flash of lightning is faster than lightening someone’s load, so is saying a two-syllable word faster than saying a three-syllable term.

Quiz: Lightning or Lightening

  1. The _______ of the load by the local administrative office helped the mother care for her children.
  2. After the storm, the weather-chasers saw the immense damage from the ­­­­_______ strikes.
  3. Once the car came to a stop at the rest area, the children left the vehicle with _______ speed.
  4. The woman purchased some hand cream to _______ the skin tone of her hands.

Article Summary

Is lightning or lightening correct? These two near homophones are easily confused. If you need a word that means a flash of light, choose the word lightning. If you need a word that reflects a brightening of light or a lessening of a load, use lightening.

  • Lightning functions primarily as a noun.
  • Lightening is a verb.

Quiz Answers

  1. Lightening
  2. Lightning
  3. Lightning
  4. Lighten