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Meaning & use

low light

noun, adjective·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˈləʊ laɪt/
US/ˈloʊ laɪt/

Meanings

  1. noununcountable

    Dim lighting conditions, such as at dusk, indoors in the evening or in shaded places.

    Grammar: No article needed after in: the camera works well in low light.

    Patterns

    • in low light
    • low light conditions

    Most phone cameras produce grainy pictures in low light.

    Some houseplants can survive in low light.

    It is hard to read in low light without straining your eyes.

  2. adjectivebefore a noun

    Used before a noun to describe something that works or happens when there is little light.

    Grammar: Often hyphenated: a low-light camera, low-light conditions.

    Patterns

    • low-light photography
    • a low-light camera

    She bought a low-light camera for photographing concerts.

    The plant needs low-light conditions and rarely any direct sun.

    Low-light photography requires a steady hand.

Common combinations

in low light
Owls hunt well in low light.
low light conditions
The app improves photos taken in low light conditions.
low light photography
He specializes in low light photography.
low light plant
A snake plant is a good low light plant for offices.
low light performance
Reviewers praised the camera's low light performance.

Synonyms and how they differ

dim light
Dim light is a more general phrase for weak lighting, while low light is common in technical contexts like cameras and plants.
half-light
Half-light is a more poetic word for the faint light at dawn or dusk.
poor lighting
Poor lighting is usually a complaint about lights that are not good enough, whereas low light is just a description of how much light exists.
gloom
Gloom suggests a dark and depressing atmosphere, while low light is neutral.

Opposites

bright lightdaylight

Word family

light noun
illumination
lighting noun
the way a place is lit
lowlight noun
a dark streak of hair color, or an unpleasant moment

Commonly confused: low light or lowlight?

low light vs lowlight

A lowlight is a worst moment or a dark hair streak, not simply dim light.

Practice

Which phrase correctly describes a camera that works well when it is dark?

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