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Lightening vs. Lightning: Spelling Matters

Published on January 13, 2024

The Difference

Lightning (no E) = the flash during a storm ⚡
Lightening (with E) = making something lighter or brighter

Lightning: The Storm Kind

“Lightning” is the electrical discharge during thunderstorms:

“The lightning lit up the sky.” ✓
“Lightning struck the tree.” ✓
“Thunder and lightning kept me awake.” ✓

No E in the middle. Think: it happens in a flash—no time for extra letters!

Lightening: Making Lighter

“Lightening” means reducing weight, darkness, or intensity:

“She’s lightening her hair.” ✓ (making it a lighter color)
“He’s lightening his workload.” ✓ (reducing the burden)
“The sky is lightening at dawn.” ✓ (getting brighter)

Has an E because it comes from “lighten” + ing.

Memory Trick

Lightning = fast and sudden (no time for the E)
Lightening = lighten + ing (you can hear both parts)

Common Mistake

❌ “The lightening storm was intense.” ✓ “The lightning storm was intense.”

Quick Test

Say it out loud:

If it sounds like “LITE-ning” (two syllables) → lightning ⚡
If it sounds like “LITE-en-ing” (three syllables) → lightening