Lighted vs. Lit
Main DifferenceThe main difference between Lighted and Lit is that the word Lighted is used as a verb as well as an adjective, whereas the word Lit is used as a verb, and its use as an adjective is incorrect.

Difference Between Lighted and Lit
Lighted vs. Lit
The word lighted is the simple past and past participle of the word light, which acts as a verb and as an adjective, whereas the word lit is another simple past and past participle of the word light, which is used only as a verb.
Lighted vs. Lit
Lighted is considered correct as an adjective; conversely, lit is deemed to be incorrect as an adjective.
Lighted vs. Lit
Lighted rhymes with benighted; on the contrary, lit rhymes with fit and kit.
Lighted vs. Lit
Lighted is less commonly used as the past participle of light; on the flip side, lit is most widely used as a past participle of light.
Lighted vs. Lit
Lightedverb
simple past tense and past participle of light
Litverb
simple past tense and past participle of light||illuminate; start a fire; etc
Lightedadjective
Filled with light; illuminated.
Litverb
simple past tense and past participle of light||alight: land, come down on
Lightedadjective
set afire or burning;
the lighted candlesa lighted cigarettea lit firecrackerLitverb
To run or light (alight).
Lightedadjective
provided with artificial light;
illuminated advertisinglooked up at the lighted windowsa brightly lit rooma well-lighted stairwellLitverb
(transitive) To colour; dye.
Litadjective
Illuminated.
He walked down the lit corridor.Litadjective
(slang) intoxicated or under the influence of drugs; stoned.
Litadjective
(slang) Sexually aroused (usually of a female), especially visibly sexually aroused.
Litadjective
(slang) Excellent, fantastic; captivating.
We ordered pizza and we're going to stay up all night. It's going to be lit.Litadjective
(obsolete) Little.
Litnoun
(obsolete) Little.
Litnoun
Colour; blee; dye; stain.
Litnoun
abbreviation of literature
Litnoun
the humanistic study of a body of literature;
he took a course in Russian litLitadjective
provided with artificial light;
illuminated advertisinglooked up at the lighted windowsa brightly lit rooma well-lighted stairwellLitadjective
set afire or burning;
the lighted candlesa lighted cigarettea lit firecrackerComparison Chart
Lighted | Lit |
Lighted is the past form of the word light that acts as a verb as well as an adjective | Lit the past form of the word light that acts as a verb and not as an adjective |
Parts of Speech | |
Verb, adjective | Verb |
Use as Adjective | |
Common | Incorrect |
Rhyming Words | |
Benighted | Kit, fits |
Lighted vs. Lit
Lighted is a verb and the past participle form of the verb “light.” The verb light means to set something on fire or to illuminate. For example, we lighted the fire there as there was so much cold in the mountains. Lit makes the past tense of the verb ‘light,’ which means the same. For example, the cake was brightened as they lit the candles.
Lighted means being illuminated as an adjective. For example, the kids rushed towards the lighted street from the dark road. On the other hand, the use of lit as an adjective is incorrect; its use as an adjective is not common.
Usually, lighted is less commonly used as the past participle of light; on the flip side, lit it is more widely used as a past participle of light.
In the past tense, “I have lighted,” lighted is suited in this sentence, but in the sentence “I have lit,” lit is not fit in this sentence.
What is Lighted?
The word lighted is a past form of light. Lighted acts as a verb, as well as an adjective. Lighted is a verb and the past participle form of the verb “light.” The verb light means to set something on fire or to illuminate.
This form is hundreds of years old with a period of prevalence throughout history. But nowadays it is observed that the use of lighted as the past form of light is common in American English than anywhere else.
However, generally, the use of lighted as the past form of light was more common before the early 20th century but now is alternative form lit is used more. Lighted means being illuminated as an adjective. Usually, lighted is less commonly used as the past participle of light.
The use of lighted and lit is generally based on the will of the writer or the speaker. In the past tense, “I have lighted,” lighted is suited in this sentence. The word lighted also has many rhyming words such as benighted, which is another adjective.
Lighted works both in the simple past tenses and the past participles tenses. In the simple past tenses, lighted can also be used, but its alternative form lit is preferred there.
Examples
- We lighted the fire there as there was so much cold in the mountains. (as a verb).
- The kids rushed towards the lighted street from the dark road. (as an adjective).
- The tourist lighted the torch when they entered a dark cave.
What is Lit?
Lit is the simple past and past participle of the word ‘light.’ It is a verb. Its use as the past participle of light is more common. It is an alternative word for another past form of the word lighted, which is lighted.
The word lighted was used earlier more commonly, but now people prefer using the word lit. People use both the words lighted and lit, depending on their choice. Lit sounds more classy, and youngsters primarily use it.
Lit is used mainly as a verb, and its use as an adjective is not common. Its use as an adjective is considered incorrect. Lit can also be used in the meaning of drunk. Lit rhymes with kit knit and flit.
Examples
- The cake was brightened as they lit the candles on it.
- Lit the matchstick so that we can put the fire on wood and start our bonfire.
ConclusionLighted and lit, are both the past forms of the word light. Both have the same meaning but are different in their usage. One of these two words is preferred over the other, depending upon the choice of the speaker or the writer.