noun
Only when written 明かり
General light or illumination, often natural or ambient. Used for brightness itself rather than a specific light source.
月の明かりで道を歩いた。
I walked the path by the light of the moon.
部屋に明
Light is streaming into the room.
noun
A specific light source, such as a lamp, lantern, or electric light. Often used for artificial lighting.
机の上に小さな灯りをつけた。
I turned on a small lamp on the desk.
停電で明かりが全部消えた。
All the lights went out in the blackout.
noun
proof of innocence; vindication
Only when written 明かり
Dated use, primarily in the phrase 明かりが立つ (to be cleared of suspicion). Rare in modern Japanese.
昔の小説では、嫌疑が晴れることを「明かりが立つ」と表現することがある。
In old novels, being cleared of suspicion is sometimes expressed as 明かりが立つ.