lighten

[ lahyt-n ]

/ ˈlaɪt n /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR lighten ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object)

to 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.

verb (used with object)

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.

Nearby words

light-sensitive, light-struck, light-year, lightboard, lightboat, lighten, lighten up, lightening, lighter, lighter fluid, lighter than air

Origin of lighten

1300–50; Middle English lightnen; see light¹, -en¹

Related forms

light·en·er, noun

Definition for lighten (2 of 2)

lighten

[ lahyt-n ]

/ ˈlaɪt 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)

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

1350–1400; Middle English lightnen; see light², -en¹

SYNONYMS FOR lighten

3 ease, lessen, reduce.

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ANTONYMS FOR lighten

3 aggravate.

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Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for lighten

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|DAILY BEAST
Jazz lovers who had taken exception to the previous bashing were told to lighten up, and stop complaining.
What’s With This Uncool Surge in Jazz Bashing?|Ted Gioia|November 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“That sound is a requirement for renting a car in Costa Rica,” Mugianis jokes to lighten the mood.
Hallucinating Away a Heroin Addiction|Abby Haglage|May 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Of course, I am aware that this is a simply a video game and critics would say I should lighten up.
Most Young Gamers Unfit For Call of Duty|Don Gomez|October 8, 2013|DAILY BEAST

From Adam Sandler to Tom Lehrer to South Park, a playlist to lighten up the Festival of Lights.
Eight Epic Chanukah Songs, From Sandler to ‘South Park’|Michael Solomon|December 8, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Before entering the pass of Abulaghlagh, Hateetah hid some of his wheat under the rocks to lighten his camels.
Narrative of a Mission to Central Africa Performed in the Years 1850-51, Volume 1|James Richardson
At the supreme moment I want to lighten myself of a load, I want to clear up a doubt of mine.
The Reign of Greed|Jose Rizal
I was constantly taken up with the desire to lighten their parts; and I dreamed of air-ships and flying machines.
Boys' Second Book of Inventions|Ray Stannard Baker
My sisters and I wish to go before and lighten the way, for that reason we want more than anything else to go to Holland to study.
Letters of a Javanese Princess|Raden Adjeng Kartini
I think it is the best part of the business of art to lighten the load of life.
Belford's Magazine, Vol II, No. 10, March 1889|Various

British Dictionary definitions for lighten (1 of 2)

lighten

/ (ˈlaɪtən) /

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)

lighten

/ (ˈlaɪtən) /

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