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lighten

1
[ lahyt-n ]
/ ˈlaÉȘt n /
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See synonyms for: lighten / lightened / lightening on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
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Origin of lighten

1
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English lightnen; see origin at light1, -en1

OTHER WORDS FROM lighten

light·en·er, noun

Other definitions for lighten (2 of 2)

lighten2
[ lahyt-n ]
/ ˈlaÉȘt n /

verb (used with object)
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 make less burdensome or oppressive; alleviate; mitigate: to lighten taxes;to lighten someone's cares.
to cheer or gladden: Such news lightens my heart.
verb (used without object)

Origin of lighten

2
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English lightnen; see origin at light2, -en1
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use lighten in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for lighten (1 of 2)

lighten1
/ (ˈlaÉȘtən) /

verb
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)

lighten2
/ (ˈlaÉȘtən) /

verb
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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