Lightning or Lightening

Which is the correct spelling? The correct spelling is Lightning (not Lightening).

Correct Spelling

Lightning

Incorrect Spelling

Lightening

How common is this error?

There are 285,000 search results on Bing for the misspelling 'Lightening'. 'Lightening' ranks in the top 150 of most common errors caught by TripleChecker, with at least 43 websites containing this mistake.¹

Part of speech and definition

The word "lightning" can be used as a noun. As a noun, it refers to the natural electrical discharge that occurs during a storm, typically appearing as a bright flash. In some contexts, "lightning" can also be used as an adjective in the phrase "lightning speed," describing something that happens very quickly.

Examples of lightning being used in a sentence:

Correct The sudden flash of lightning illuminated the dark sky, followed by a booming thunder that shook the ground.
Incorrect The sudden flash of lightening illuminated the dark sky, followed by a booming thunder that shook the ground.
Correct As she sprinted through the forest, a bolt of lightning struck a nearby tree, sending splinters flying in all directions.
Incorrect As she sprinted through the forest, a bolt of lightening struck a nearby tree, sending splinters flying in all directions.
Correct During the summer storm, the children watched in awe as lightning danced across the horizon, a natural spectacle of raw power.
Incorrect During the summer storm, the children watched in awe as lightening danced across the horizon, a natural spectacle of raw power.

TripleChecker.com automatically catches mistakes like 'lightening'.

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Other common questions

What is the correct spelling?

Lightning

What is its origin?

The word 'lightning' originates from the Old English word 'lyhting', which is derived from the verb 'lyhtan', meaning 'to shine' or 'to provide light'. The root is related to the Proto-Germanic *leuhtwō, which in turn comes from the Proto-Indo-European root *lewk-, meaning 'light' or 'to be light'.

How do you pronounce lightning?

The word "lightning" is pronounced as /ˈlaɪt.nɪŋ/. It consists of two syllables: "light" and "ning."

Any tips for using the word in a sentence?

The word 'lightning' can be used in a sentence such as, "The storm produced a spectacular display of lightning across the sky." It is important to note that 'lightning' refers specifically to the electrical discharge during a storm, and it is often confused with 'lightening,' which means to make something lighter in color or weight; ensuring correct spelling and context is crucial for clear communication.

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1: Data as of 09/01/2024.