lite

¹

[ lahyt ]

adjective

1. noting a commercial product that is low in calories or low in any substance considered undesirable, as compared with a product of the same type: used especially in labeling or advertising commercial products:

   lite beer.

2. noting a version that is comparatively less extreme, profound, advanced, etc., than the typical version (often used postpositively): The lite version of the app is available for mobile download.

   The film glossed over the dangers of the experiment with a science-lite explanation.

   The lite version of the app is available for mobile download.

noun

1. light ²( def 36 ).

-lite

²

1. a combining form used in the names of minerals or fossils:

   aerolite; chrysolite.

-lite

¹

combining form

1. (in names of minerals) stone Compare -lith

   chrysolite

lite

²

/ laɪt /

adjective

1. (of food and drink) containing few calories or little alcohol or fat
2. denoting a more restrained or less extreme version of a person or thing

   reggae lite

Other Words From

• liteness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of lite¹

First recorded in 1965–70; an informal, simplified spelling of light ²( def )

Origin of lite²

< French, simplified form of -lithe < Greek líthos stone; similarly German -lit, earlier -lith

Word History and Origins

Origin of lite¹

from French -lite or -lithe, from Greek lithos stone

Origin of lite²

C20: variant spelling of light ²

Example Sentences

Because it is said to pack a softer punch than the THC in cannabis, delta-8 products are often called “weed lite” or “diet weed.”

From Los Angeles Times

“Whether inside or outside the party, Sunak’s sudden reincarnation as ‘Liz lite’ has left nobody happy,” Greening wrote in The Guardian.

From Washington Times

“I’m against speaker lite, I’m against Bud Lite,” Gaetz told reporters Thursday.

From Los Angeles Times

“It’s a bit of a controversy lite,” he said.

From New York Times

Bolling also argued that Carlson likely also held his view that Fox was falling "further and further away from the plot" and is "moving mainstream, CNN lite, as one of our Balance viewers called it."

From Salon