lighten
1to become lighter or less dark; brighten: The sky lightened after the storm.
to brighten or light up, as the eyes or features: Her face lightened when she heard the good news.
to flash as or like lightning (often used impersonally with it as subject): It thundered and lightened for hours.
Archaic. to shine, gleam, or be bright: steel blades lightening in the sun.
to give light to; illuminate: A full moon lightened the road.
to brighten (the eyes, features, etc.): A large smile lightened his face.
to make lighter or less dark: Add white to lighten the paint.
Obsolete. enlighten.
Obsolete. to flash or emit like lightning (usually followed by out, forth, or down): eyes that lightened forth implacable hatred.
Origin of lighten
1Other words from lighten
- light·en·er, noun
Words Nearby lighten
Other definitions for lighten (2 of 2)
to make lighter in weight: to lighten the load on a truck.
to lessen the load of or upon: to lighten a cargo ship.
to become less severe, stringent, or harsh; ease up: Border inspections have lightened recently.
to become less heavy, cumbersome, burdensome, oppressive, etc.: His worries seem to have lightened somewhat.
to become less gloomy; perk up: People's spirits usually lighten when spring arrives.
Origin of lighten
2Other words for lighten
Opposites for lighten
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use lighten in a sentence
She wanted to present the survivors’ stories together to lighten the individual burden of illustrating the human toll of sexual violence and the resilience of survivors.
How We Report on Pain, Death and Trauma Without Losing Our Humanity | by Karim Doumar | August 26, 2021 | ProPublicaPerhaps we can lighten the burden by acknowledging what parents around us are experiencing and maybe even find ways to support them where we can.
The shifting sands of SERPs; Tuesday’s daily brief | George Nguyen | August 24, 2021 | Search Engine LandOver 200 million people use Snapchat Lenses every day, some of them to lighten their skin tone.
How digital beauty filters perpetuate colorism | Tate Ryan-Mosley | August 15, 2021 | MIT Technology ReviewIn the winter, the club even offers a freight-hauling service so you can lighten your load on the ski in.
Add These 5 Backcountry Lodges to Your Adventure Bucket List | elessard | August 12, 2021 | Outside OnlineIn her time as a model, Joleen Mitton has experienced firsthand photographers’ desire to lighten her skin tone, as well as offensive comments made in her direction.
Doane tweeted, “the film does make fun of Wannabe Berean unimaginative Christians who need to lighten up.”
Kirk Cameron Saves Christmas from Abominable Killjoys (Other Christians) | Brandy Zadrozny | November 14, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTJazz lovers who had taken exception to the previous bashing were told to lighten up, and stop complaining.
As mourning time progressed and the emotional strain began to subside, the black hues began to lighten.
“That sound is a requirement for renting a car in Costa Rica,” Mugianis jokes to lighten the mood.
Of course, I am aware that this is a simply a video game and critics would say I should lighten up.
Thou art the help of Christians; lighten our tribulations, and help us with motherly intercession at the throne of thy divine Son.
Mary, Help of Christians | VariousObviously, the very least they could do, was to try by all means in their power, to lighten the burden they had laid upon her.
The Daughters of Danaus | Mona CairdPretty soon it darkened up, and begun to thunder and lighten; so the birds was right about it.
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Complete | Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)Elvedon was rather like that, though the present tenants have managed to lighten it a good deal.
Robin Redbreast | Mary Louisa MolesworthIf the rollways could be definitely cleared once, the work would lighten all along the line.
Blazed Trail Stories | Stewart Edward White
British Dictionary definitions for lighten (1 of 2)
/ (ˈlaɪtən) /
to become or make light
(intr) to shine; glow
(intr) (of lightning) to flash
(tr) an archaic word for enlighten
British Dictionary definitions for lighten (2 of 2)
/ (ˈlaɪtən) /
to make or become less heavy
to make or become less burdensome or oppressive; mitigate
to make or become more cheerful or lively
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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