plight

Language: en

🇬🇧 /ˈplaɪt/ 🇺🇸 /ˈplaɪt/

📖 Definitions

  1. noun
    A dangerous, difficult, or otherwise unfortunate situation; a predicament.; A solemn promise or pledge; an engagement or vow, especially of betrothal.; A condition or state, especially one that is bad or undesirable.
  2. verb
    To pledge or promise solemnly; to betroth.; To fold or pleat (a fabric or material).

🔗 Details

Word forms

countable Plural: plights 3rd sing.: plights Past: plighted Past part.: plighted Pres part.: plighting

Collocations

the plight ofdire plightdesperate plightsad plightin a plightworsen the plight

Derivatives

plighted

Synonyms

predicamentdilemmaquandaryhardshipadversitytribulationdifficulty

Antonyms

prosperityfortune

Commonly confused

predicament
EN: 'Predicament' emphasizes being stuck in an awkward situation; 'plight' emphasizes suffering or misfortune in a serious condition.
flight
EN: 'Flight' refers to the act of flying or fleeing; 'plight' refers to a difficult or unfortunate situation.

Spelling tips

EN: Do not confuse 'plight' (a difficult situation) with the archaic verb 'plight' meaning to pledge (as in 'plight one's troth'). Also avoid confusing it with 'flight' or 'light' due to the shared '-ight' ending.

💬 Examples

  1. The plight of the refugees moved the entire nation to action.

  2. He gave his plight of troth to the maiden before departing for war.

  3. The sorry plight of the old building was evident from its crumbling walls.

  4. They plighted their troth in a quiet ceremony beneath the oak tree.

  5. She plighted the cloth neatly before placing it in the chest.