lightbulb

See also: light-bulb and light bulb

English

Etymology 1

Noun

lightbulb (plural lightbulbs)

  1. Alternative spelling of light bulb.
    • 2003 July 6, Edward Tenner, “'Our Own Devices'”, in The New York Times‎[1]:
      A young orangutan in the San Diego Zoo became famous for unbolting the screening of his crib, removing the wires, and moving through the zoo nursery, unscrewing lightbulbs.
Derived terms

Etymology 2

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

Pronunciation

  • (UK, US) IPA(key): /ˈlaɪtˌbʌlb/
  • Audio (US):(file)

Noun

lightbulb (plural lightbulbs)

  1. (Singapore, colloquial) An uninvited third person joining a couple's date who prevents or hinders romantic interactions.
    • 2011 October 23, Heidy The Traveler, Learn Singlish a Bit!:
      You two go ahead lah, I don't want to be lightbulb.
    • 2014 August 3, Chris Soh, 20 Words That Mean Something Completely Different to Singaporeans:
      When she finally came out her friend joined us. Damn lightbulb leh!
    • 2014, carolcraves, "[2]", Twitter, 31 January 2014:
      Being an extra big light bulb and eating with two cousins and their husband and fiance.
Synonyms
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