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What Does Lit Mean? A Simple Guide To The Slang Internet Term Everyone's Using

And are you using it correctly.

By Rebecca Jane Stokes — Written on Aug 16, 2018

What does lit mean? Lit is one of those slang terms that you've probably been hearing (and using) for years. You're not exactly sure what it means, but you have just enough of an idea to use it regularly with carefree abandon... until someone who actually knows what it means hears you, calls you out on your lack of knowledge, and you are left feeling ashamed, embarrassed, and roughly eight million years old. 

Don't worry, it has happened to the best of us. My boyfriend totally thought he was the coolest guy on the planet until he used the word "bae" wrong AND got mocked on the street by an actual nine-year-old for wearing black socks with his sandals. Being mocked by the young is a veritable rite of passage these days, but just because it's inevitable that doesn't mean you can't keep putting it off for a little while longer.

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That's where I come in, your 35-year-old friend who gets what the kids are saying and is here to help you feel just a little less clueless. 

Today we're talking about the word lit, and I'm pleased to report, this one is pretty easy. All three definitions follow this logic: when something or someone is lit, they are bright like a candle.

So, someone high out of their minds? Lit. A party that is more awesome than any other party you've ever attended? Lit. Feeling excited about your upcoming three day weekend? Then you can totally say "I'm LIT about the weekend!" That's totally fair, just DO NOT SAY, "I'm lit like a candle," or then out of nowhere youths will emerge to point at you and laugh, and that's exactly what we're trying to avoid. 

Here are the 3 different ways the word "lit" is used. I've used it in a few different sentences each time to make things nice and clear: 

1. When something is absolutely amazing

"This Apple watch I stole from Brian in the locker room is lit."

"This General Tso's chicken is MAD lit!"

"I don't know what's more lit, the party in this car or the party in the rest station we just left!"

"That dress is Lit, Miriam!" 

"Those Keds your grandmother had bronzed for the party were lit!"

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2. When a party or event is "bumping" "busy" "vibrant" or "fun"

"Who knew that Claire's would be so lit? I just wanted a pair of stick-on earrings to give my niece!" 

"That reunion was lit! Who knew 80 year olds could jam that hard!"

"With the music blaring on that bus I'm surprised it wasn't more lit."

"That dance party are Karen's uncle's house was lit!"

"I didn't think a doctor's office could be lit, but those black lights make a real difference." 

3. When a person is out of their minds on a substance

"I told Brandon that edibles were the real deal . He's lit as hell right now and he has to teach algebra in five minutes." 

"He was so lit he was making out with a mirror."

"He was so lit on schnapps it was contagious." 

"I've never seen someone so lit not falling over."

"I'm so lit I can't feel my face." 

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Rebecca Jane Stokes  is a writer living in Brooklyn, New York with her cat, Batman. She hosts the love and dating advice show,  Becca  After Dark , on  YourTango's  Facebook Page every Tuesday and Thursday at 10:15 pm Eastern. For more of her work,  check out her Tumblr .

Lit Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

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If you’re turning up at a gathering, someone may describe the event as “lit.” For example, “this party is lit!” — but what exactly does lit (lɪt) mean? Don’t worry; we’re here to help. 

In this article, we’re exploring the increasingly popular slang term lit to uncover its definition, origin, usage, and more. So, if you’re looking for an explanation on lit — keep reading. 

What Is the Definition of Lit?

According to the Cambridge Unabridged Dictionary , the term lit is both the past participle and past tense of light.

Another way to define our word of the day is by looking at it as an abbreviation. Lit is commonly used as an abbreviated term for literature. That said, if you are to say something is lit, you’re most likely trying to point out that something is illuminated, usually from a lamp or other source.

Lit is also commonly seen as a slang term that typically means under the influence of drugs, intoxicated, or drunk. The slang word “gonna get lit” was made popular in the early 21st century by the rapper A$AP Rocky and his song entitled, “Get Lit.” 

Additionally, if you find yourself in Italy, lit means lire (or commonly seen in its singular form Lira ), which is the currency of the Republic of Italy.

What Is the Etymology of Lit?

Our word of the day comes from Old Norse lita, which derives from Old English līhtan . It is a cognate of Old Saxon liuhtian , Old High German liuhten (aka German leuchten ) and Gothic liuhtjan. 

That said, the word lit has been a slang word meaning “intoxicated” for more than a century (since 1910 , to be exact). In recent years, however, it has acquired the expanded meaning “exciting,” as well as a broader meaning along the lines of “excellent.” 

What Are the Synonyms and Antonyms of Lit?

You may be familiar with our word of the day as a popular term that’s widely used on social media, but do you know the synonyms and antonyms of lit? Not to worry; we’re here to help. 

Read on below to find synonyms and antonyms of lit, which have been provided by the Collins English Language Thesaurus:

• Stricken up
• Shining 
• Resplendent
• Touched off
• Brought about
• Fanned the flames of
• Put a match to
• Switched on
• Intoxicated
• Set a match to
• Set burning
• Set fire to
• Set light to
• Set on fire
• Sparked off
• Made bright 
• Literary text
• Liberal arts
• Written matter
• Written work
• Literary work
• Belles lettres
• Creative writing 
• Printed work
• Published work
• Collected work
• Off the sauce
• On the wagon
• Straightedge 
• As sober as a judge
• Off the booze
• Clear Headed 
• Pitch black
• Not intoxicated

How Can You Use Lit in a Sentence?

Lit is both the past tense and past particle of light , as well as a trendy slang word. Now that you understand the meaning behind our word of the day, it’s time to put your newfound knowledge to the test! 

Practice using “lit” in a sentence, or simply refer to our example sentences listed below:

As it zipped through the air, the firecracker lit up the night sky.

The party last weekend was totally lit.

1,000 itty-bitty Christmas lights lit up the house, making it the brightest one on the block.

Martha lit a few candles before taking a relaxing soak in the tub.

This house party is gonna be lit!

John lit up a cigarette despite all the signs that said no smoking.

The heating lamp lit up the tent and kept us warm.

The whole sky lit up following a loud bang that sounded like an explosion.

Some say it’s poppin, but I prefer it’s lit.

Jeb’s yard was lit by three huge spotlights.

More often than not, houses are lit by electricity.

My mom doesn’t let me hang out on 4th street after dark because it’s poorly lit.

Terra lit a cigarette as she read her book on the patio.

The fire department said that a half-lit cigar was the culprit for the fire.

Bottom Line

The word lit is both the past tense and past particle of light — but that’s not all. Our word of the day can also be used as the abbreviation of “ literature ” to describe someone who is under the influence of liquor or narcotics, as well as a slang term that generally describes something as amazing, awesome, and cool. 

If you thought this article was lit , we invite you to check out our website where you’ll discover informative blogs, useful grammar tools, helpful tips and more. 

Whether you’re looking for more information on a buzzy slang word or simply hoping to enhance your existing vocabulary, you can always count on us! 

Light Synonyms | Collins English Thesaurus  

LIT | definition | Cambridge English Dictionary  

it’s lit Meaning & Origin | Slang by Dictionary.com

Kevin Miller is a growth marketer with an extensive background in Search Engine Optimization, paid acquisition and email marketing. He is also an online editor and writer based out of Los Angeles, CA. He studied at Georgetown University, worked at Google and became infatuated with English Grammar and for years has been diving into the language, demystifying the do's and don'ts for all who share the same passion! He can be found online here.

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Definition of lit

 (Entry 1 of 4)

past tense and past participle of light

Definition of lit  (Entry 2 of 4)

Definition of lit  (Entry 3 of 4)

Definition of lit  (Entry 4 of 4)

• blasted [ slang ]
• blitzed [ slang ]
• blotto [ slang ]
• canned [ slang ]
• hammered [ slang ]
• intoxicated
• juiced [ slang ]
• loaded [ slang ]
• oiled [ slang ]
• potted [ slang ]
• ripped [ slang ]
• sloshed [ slang ]
• smashed [ slang ]
• squiffy
• stinking [ slang ]
• tanked [ slang ]
• tiddly [ chiefly British ]
• wasted [ slang ]
• wiped out [ slang ]

Examples of lit in a Sentence

Word history.

by shortening

past participle of light entry 3

1850, in the meaning defined above

1914, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing lit

• wagon - lit

Articles Related to lit

An old slang word made new again

Dictionary Entries Near lit

Cite this entry.

“Lit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lit. Accessed 3 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

Kids definition of lit.

past and past participle of light

More from Merriam-Webster on lit

Nglish: Translation of lit for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of lit for Arabic Speakers

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a simple past tense and past participle of light 1 .

Slang . under the influence of liquor or narcotics; intoxicated (usually followed by up ).

Slang . amazing ; awesome ; cool (used as a general term of approval): Today's rally was really lit!

Origin of lit

Words nearby lit.

• list server
• Liszt, Franz
• Li T'ai-po

Other definitions for lit (2 of 6)

a simple past tense and past participle of light 3 .

Other definitions for lit (3 of 6)

literature: a college course in English lit.

Other definitions for lit (4 of 6)

Other definitions for lit. (5 of 6).

liter; liters.

literature.

Other definitions for Lit. (6 of 6)

(in Italy) lira; lire.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use lit in a sentence

A poorly lit old house gives us neither of those two accommodations, blocking our ability to see what’s around the corner and providing plenty of shadows in which malicious entities could lurk.

Asana’s debut, then, is a lit torch for late-stage SaaS startups that have access to private cash and want to trade publicly.

The bar occupied the lower level and was a single, dimly lit room leading to a square concrete patio in the back.

OneWeb already had Federal Communications Commission approval for a 720-satellite constellation that was green- lit in June 2017.

A red- lit panel formed the final barrier, leading to a small sliver of space between two sets of doors.

The convergence of these signs lit Morris up like a firecracker.

She retrieved a cigarette from her purse and lit it without moving her face away from the screen.

The church groups make the displays, and the big solstice, I mean, Christmas, tree can be lit after all.

The Hipgnosis founders took a quick look at the strangely- lit photos of contorted bodies….

When it turned night, the seven dwarfs returned home from their work and lit their seven little candles.

Joe looked at her with a smile, his face still solemn and serious for all its youth and the fires of new- lit hope behind his eyes.

A flash of surprise and pleasure lit the fine eyes of the haughty beauty perched up there on the palace wall.

Groping to the chimney-place with the aid of his matches, Mr. Collingwood found the candle and lit it.

She lit another cigarette, and for a few moments looked silently out of the window at the darkening woods beyond the lawn.

When he was gone, Isaacson returned to his sitting-room upstairs and lit a nargeeleh pipe.

British Dictionary definitions for lit (1 of 2)

/ ( lɪt ) /

a past tense and past participle of light 1

an alternative past tense and past participle of light 2

British Dictionary definitions for lit. (2 of 2)

literal(ly)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Quick links : Meaning | Origin | Spread & Usage

What does Lit mean?

Lit is a slang expression, with possibly the longest lifespan, reoccurring in the lingo since the 1950’s.

It’s current meaning states something as cool or fashionable, but it may also be used to signify intoxication or even excitement.

“Lit” is a multi-purpose word, that can be applied in all the different contexts and situations.

What's the origin of Lit ?

Originally, “lit” was used in the 1950’s and 1960’s to refer to the so-called “sweet spot” of intoxication among jazz musicians, in which state they were drunk enough to be relaxed and calm, so that they could play better, but not wasted so much as to not being able to properly play the instrument, due to the deterioration of motor skills.

Spread & Usage

How did Lit spread?

Over the years of use, though the meaning of “lit” had shifted from intoxicated into exhilarating, exciting and cool.

The term appears in various contexts, including the recognizable ad-libs of rapper Travis Scott “It’s lit”.

“Lit” is also used for being intoxicated by stoner groups, referring to lighting the joint, thus getting themselves blazed.

Urban Dictionary has a large number of definitions on the subject, written by users since 2002, ever expanding the archives of the online lexicon:

https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=lit

External resources

• Merriam Webster – It’s Lit

More interesting stuff

DigitalCultures » Slang » Internet culture » Lit