Rampenlicht
limelight
noun RAM-pen-likht Rare
Origin: from Rampe (footlight strip) + Licht (light)
Also means
spotlight
Usage Note
Rampenlicht is the footlight glare, used almost always figuratively in im Rampenlicht stehen, to be in the limelight. The literal singular dominates; a plural is unusual.
Examples
"Nach dem Erfolg stand sie plötzlich im Rampenlicht."
Natural Translation
After the success she suddenly stood in the limelight.
Literal Translation
After the success stood she suddenly in-the limelight.

Free starter pack
Building your German vocabulary?
Get the 100 most common German words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.
Related Words
Explore German by topic