lightbulb

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun electric lamp consisting of a transparent or translucent glass housing containing a wire filament (usually tungsten) that emits light when heated by electricity

Etymology

Calque from Cantonese 電燈泡/电灯泡 (din6 dang1 paau1), as though the third person is a light bulb in the background.

In classic literature

Synonyms

light bulb, bulb, incandescent lamp, electric light, electric-light bulb

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