Definitions

limelight

[lahym-lahyt] / ˈlaɪmˌlaɪt /

NOUN

public attention

Synonyms

STRONGEST

glare prominence public eye spotlight

STRONG

eminence exposure hype renown

WEAK

fifteen minutes of fame focus of attention media attention photo opportunity public interest public notice public recognition

Antonyms

STRONGEST

obscurity

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He still wants to be the king, and of course he loves the limelight.

From Salon • Jun. 26, 2026

On Wednesday morning, the votes were still being counted, but Pratt looked likely to finish second—good enough for a runoff with Bass and a few more months in the limelight.

From Slate • Jun. 3, 2026

So how did this seemingly quiet, retiring child and self-effacing bureaucrat turn into a president who so avidly embraced the limelight?

From BBC • May 30, 2026

It is also an example of the perils of a small-town official, drawn to the limelight, finding herself under the klieg lights of a true-crime drama that became a national sensation.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 24, 2026

For security reasons, she knew she had to stay out of the limelight.

From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield

Vocabulary lists containing limelight

Bronx Masquerade

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

A Deadly Wandering

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

Baseball in April

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!