Meaning & use
torchlight
Last updated
UK/ˈtɔːtʃ.laɪt/
US/ˈtɔːrtʃ.laɪt/
Meaning
noununcountable
The light given off by a flaming torch, or by a flashlight in British English.
Grammar: No plural: by torchlight.
Patterns
- by torchlight
- in the torchlight
The cave walls glowed in the torchlight.
They read their letters by torchlight in the tent.
The procession moved slowly through the streets by torchlight.
Common combinations
- by torchlight
- We walked home by torchlight.
- flickering torchlight
- Flickering torchlight cast long shadows.
- torchlight procession
- A torchlight procession opened the festival.
- in the torchlight
- Her face shone in the torchlight.
Synonyms and how they differ
- flashlight
- Flashlight is the American word for an electric torch, so it only covers one type of torchlight.
- firelight
- Firelight comes from any fire, not specifically a torch.
- lamplight
- Lamplight is from a lamp and is steadier and softer.
- candlelight
- Candlelight is gentle and romantic, whereas torchlight is brighter and dramatic.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: torchlight or flashlight?
torchlight vs flashlight
A flashlight is the American name for an electric torch. Torchlight describes the light itself, not the device.
Practice
Which is the most natural way to complete: They explored the tunnel ______.
Choose one answer.
By torchlight is the fixed phrase, meaning using the light of a torch. The other options are not natural.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “torchlight”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
Your sentence stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.