lightning

Từ điển Oxford Advanced Learner 8th

light·ning noun, adjective BrE [ˈlaɪtnɪŋ] NAmE [ˈlaɪtnɪŋ]
noun uncountable
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.

Word Origin:
Middle English: special use of lightening (verbal noun from ↑lighten in the sense ‘to become lighter’ or ‘brighter’).

Collocations:
The weather
Good weather
be bathed in/bask in/be blessed with/enjoy bright/brilliant/glorious sunshine
the sun shines/warms sth/beats down (on sth)
the sunshine breaks/streams through sth
fluffy/wispy clouds drift across the sky
a gentle/light/stiff/cool/warm/sea breeze blows in/comes in off the sea
the snow crunches beneath/under sb'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 sth
the wind blows/whistles/howls/picks up/whips through sth/sweeps across sth
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 sth/rips through sth
forecast/expect/predict rain/snow/a category-four hurricane
(NAmE) pour (down)/ (BrE) pour (down) with rain
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
(BrE) be blowing a gale
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

Example Bank:
•Forked lightning flickered across the sky.
•He jumped out of the car like greased lightning.
•He was struck by lightning.
•Lightning flashed outside.
•Lightning hit the tree.
•Lightning lit up the night sky.
•Lightning strikes caused scores of fires across the state.
Idioms: ↑lightning never strikes twice ▪ ↑like lightning
 
adjective only before noun
very fast or sudden
•to move at lightning speed

Word Origin:
[lightning] Middle English: special use of lightening (verbal noun from ↑lighten in the sense ‘to become lighter’ or ‘brighter’).