It’s the 21st century, and we’ve come a long way since the invention of the discovery of fire.

“Light” is a valuable word to describe something. In addition to brightness, color, and visibility, light can also be considered a physical effect. Metaphorical meanings are associated with light, including enlightenment, understanding, and hope.

Light is often integral to what you describe, particularly when describing colors or lighting effects. Light can influence how you interpret a scene, adding drama or creating a specific mood. It can also draw attention to a particular object or person in a scene. Lighting can also create shadows, adding depth and texture to an image.

So, when writing about light, using the word accurately is vital. Incorrect use can lead to confusion and misunderstandings. When using words about light, it’s crucial to use them appropriately.

There is a similar infographic floating around. I’ve included it in text form because I alphabetized the items, added some new terms, and split some of the words that were separated by a forward slash.

38 anthropomorphic characteristics of light

Light is often personified in literature and art as a source of illumination and guidance. This personification of light has been used to convey themes of hope and transcendence. It emphasizes the beauty and power of light in the natural and spiritual world.

1. Alert
2. Beckoning
3. Comforting
4. Concealing
5. Dancing
6. Depressing
7. Erratic
8. Fickle
9. Forgiving
10. Frugal
11. Gentle
12. Harsh
13. Intimidating
14. Inviting
15. Kind
16. Lively
17. Lonely
18. Longevity
19. Mean
20. Mysterious
21. Nostalgic
22. Offensive
23. Optimistic
24. Overpowering
25. Patronizing
26. Pessimistic
27. Powerful
28. Relentless
29. Restrained
30. Revealing
31. Ruthless
32. Searching
33. Secretive
34. Somber
35. Superficial
36. Suspicious
37. Unrelenting
38. Welcoming

21 ways to identify sources of light

Light can come from natural sources such as the sun, moon, and stars or from artificial sources such as light bulbs, candles, and lamps. Light is also reflected off surfaces, such as walls, furniture, and other objects.

1. Aurora
2. Beacon
3. Bulb
4. Candle
5. Daybreak
6. Fire
7. Firefly
8. Flame
9. Floodlight
10. Lantern
11. Limelight
12. Moonlight
13. Prism
14. Spark
15. Spotlight
16. Starburst
17. Starlight
18. Sunbeam
19. Sunlight
20. Sunrise
21. Sunset

47 physical characteristics of light

In its simplest definition, light is electromagnetic radiation that travels in a wave-like pattern at the speed of light. It can be polarized and refracted and can be used to transmit information. Light can also interact with matter, producing a variety of effects.

1. Beam
2. Bend
3. Brighten
4. Burn
5. Burst
6. Cast
7. Crowd
8. Diffuse
9. Downpour
10. Enduring
11. Filter through
12. Flare
13. Flash
14. Flicker
15. Flood
16. Flow
17. Glare
18. Gleam
19. Glimmer
20. Glint
21. Glitter
22. Glow
23. Illuminate
24. Inflame
25. Kindle
26. Lighten
27. Lower
28. Meld
29. Melt
30. Probing
31. Radiate
32. Reflect
33. Refract
34. Rise
35. Scatter
36. Seep
37. Settle onto
38. Shine
39. Shower
40. Shut
41. Sit onto
42. Sparkle
43. Spectrum
44. Spill
45. Split
46. Wave
47. Wavelength

87 physical descriptions of light

Light can be seen as the life force, bringing clarity to the darkness. It can be a source of comfort, providing reassurance and security. It can be seen as a symbol of hope, radiating optimism and courage.

1. Ablaze
2. Aglow
3. Angled
4. Aspect
5. Blinding
6. Bright
7. Brilliant
8. Burnished
9. Clear
10. Cloudless
11. Cloudy
12. Cold
13. Colorful
14. Concentrated
15. Confined
16. Contained
17. Curved
18. Dark
19. Deep
20. Dense
21. Dim
22. Distinct
23. Divided
24. Dull
25. Dusty
26. Faint
27. Fast
28. Fractional
29. Fragmentary
30. Fresh
31. Ghostly
32. Glossy
33. Hard
34. Heavy
35. High
36. Hot
37. Indistinct
38. Lambent
39. Linear
40. Long
41. Long-lived
42. Low
43. Lucent
44. Luminous
45. Luster
46. Lustrous
47. Mild
48. Moderate
49. Musky
50. Neutral
51. Obscured
52. Parallel
53. Pitch
54. Polished
55. Pulsing
56. Quick
57. Ray
58. Refulgent
59. Resplendent
60. Rich
61. Scintillated
62. Sectional
63. Segmented
64. Sepia
65. Shadow
66. Shallow
67. Sharp
68. Sheen
69. Short-lived
70. Single
71. Slant
72. Slight
73. Slow
74. Smooth
75. Soft
76. Sparse
77. Spectral
78. Splendor
79. Strong
80. Sunny
81. Swift
82. Thick
83. Thin
84. Tidal
85. Unclouded
86. Warm
87. Weak

What are the 14 types of light

Natural light is sunlight, while man-made sources create the rest of the types.

1. Artificial
2. Fluorescent
3. Halogen
4. Highlight
5. High-pressure sodium
6. Incandescent
7. LED
8. Lowlight
9. Luminescent
10. Mercury vapor
11. Natural
12. Phosphorescent
13. White
14. Yellow

So think about it: what does the color temperature of light do to the overall feel of a room? Apply that thought to your story.

How can light — or dark — affect the story you’re telling? With the proper use of light and dark, a storyteller can create a powerful reaction in their audience.