lighten

¹ American  

[lahyt-n] / ˈlaɪt n /

verb (used without object)

1. to become lighter or less dark; brighten.

   The sky lightened after the storm.

2. to brighten or light up, as the eyes or features.

   Her face lightened when she heard the good news.

3. to flash as or like lightning (often used impersonally with it as subject).

   It thundered and lightened for hours.

4. Archaic. to shine, gleam, or be bright.

   steel blades lightening in the sun.

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verb (used with object)

1. to give light to; illuminate.

   A full moon lightened the road.

2. to brighten (the eyes, features, etc.).

   A large smile lightened his face.

3. to make lighter or less dark.

   Add white to lighten the paint.

4. Obsolete. enlighten.

5. Obsolete. to flash or emit like lightning (usually followed by out, forth, ordown ).

   eyes that lightened forth implacable hatred.

lighten ² American  

[lahyt-n] / ˈlaɪt n /

verb (used with object)

1. to make lighter in weight.

   to lighten the load on a truck.

2. to lessen the load of or upon.

   to lighten a cargo ship.

3. to make less burdensome or oppressive; alleviate; mitigate.

   to lighten taxes;

   to lighten someone's cares.

   Synonyms:

   reduce, lessen, ease

   Antonyms:

   aggravate

4. to cheer or gladden.

   Such news lightens my heart.

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verb (used without object)

1. to become less severe, stringent, or harsh; ease up.

   Border inspections have lightened recently.

2. to become less heavy, cumbersome, burdensome, oppressive, etc..

   His worries seem to have lightened somewhat.

3. to become less gloomy; perk up.

   People's spirits usually lighten when spring arrives.

lighten ¹ British  

/ ˈlaɪtən /

verb

1. to become or make light

2. (intr) to shine; glow

3. (intr) (of lightning) to flash

4. (tr) an archaic word for enlighten

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lighten ² British  

/ ˈlaɪtən /

verb

1. to make or become less heavy

2. to make or become less burdensome or oppressive; mitigate

3. to make or become more cheerful or lively

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Other Word Forms

• lightener noun

Etymology

Origin of lighten¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English lightnen; light ¹, -en ¹

Origin of lighten²

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English lightnen; light ², -en ¹

Example Sentences

She lightened him up; he brought her down to earth.

From Literature

But for some critics, his attempt to lighten the mood hasn't worked.

From BBC

So in my life, what I tend to say is, “OK, this story can probably lighten somebody’s ideology on what happened at this particular place.”

From Los Angeles Times

Gran was still sound asleep, though the sky was lightening.

From Literature

If individual investors and large institutions collectively decide to lighten up on their dollars, it will leave a mark.

From Barron's

Related Words

• alleviate
• ameliorate
• cut down
• dilute
• ease
• facilitate
• lessen
• mitigate
• mollify
• relieve