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Definition of lightning noun from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

 

lightning

 noun
noun
NAmE//ˈlaɪtnɪŋ//
 
[uncountable]
 
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  • a flash, or several flashes, of very bright light in the sky caused by electricity a flash of lightning a violent storm with thunder and lightning He was struck by lightning and killed. Lightning strikes caused scores of fires across the state. Topic CollocationsThe Weathergood weather
    • be bathed in/bask in/be blessed with/enjoy bright/brilliant/glorious sunshine
    • the sun shines/warms something/beats down (on something)
    • the sunshine breaks/streams through something
    • fluffy/wispy clouds drift across the sky
    • a gentle/light/stiff/cool/warm breeze blows in/comes in off the sea
    • the snow crunches beneath/under somebody's feet/boots
    bad weather
    • thick/dark/storm clouds form/gather/roll in/cover the sky/block out the sun
    • the sky darkens/turns black
    • a fine mist hangs in the air
    • a dense/heavy/thick fog rolls in
    • the rain falls/comes down (in buckets/sheets)/pours down
    • snow falls/comes down/covers something/blankets something
    • the wind blows/whistles/howls/picks up/whips through something/sweeps across something
    • strong/gale-force winds blow/gust (up to 80 mph)
    • a storm is approaching/is moving inland/hits/strikes/rages
    • thunder rolls/rumbles/sounds
    • (forked/sheet) lightning strikes/hits/flashes
    • a (blinding/snow) blizzard hits/strikes/blows/rages
    • a tornado touches down/hits/strikes/destroys something/rips through something
    • forecast/expect/predict rain/snow/a category-four hurricane
    • rain pours (down)
    • get caught in/seek shelter from/escape the rain
    • be covered/shrouded in mist/a blanket of fog
    • be in for/brave/shelter from a/the storm
    • hear rolling/distant thunder
    • be battered/buffeted by strong winds
    • battle against/brave the elements
    the weather improves
    • the sun breaks through the clouds
    • the sky clears/brightens (up)/lightens (up)
    • the clouds part/clear
    • the rain stops/lets up/holds off
    • the wind dies down
    • the storm passes
    • the mist/fog lifts/clears
    • Idioms
    lightning never strikes (in the same place) twice (saying)
     
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    an unusual or unpleasant event is not likely to happen in the same place or to the same people twice
    like (greased) lightning
     
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    very fast He leapt out of the car like lightning.
    See lightning in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
    Check pronunciation: lightning

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