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lighten
1[ lahyt-n ]
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.
lighten
2[ lahyt-n ]
verb (used with object)
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.
lighten
1/ ˈlaɪtən /
verb
- to become or make light
- intr to shine; glow
- intr (of lightning) to flash
- tr an archaic word for enlighten
lighten
2/ 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
Other Words From
- lighten·er noun
Word History and Origins
Example Sentences
Rahman in India when she noticed lightened patches of skin on her back and under her bra line.
But as they involve characters talking about revolution — once again, it’s the Rebels vs. the Empire — they don’t exactly lighten it.
They added that the NHS needed to hire more consultants, ask other staff to take on some of their work and invest in technologies such as artificial intelligence to lighten the load.
Some mood lightening seemed in order given how far the team has come since its 1-5 start.
Scientists had two choices - use a heavier rocket to carry the mission, but that would cost more, or remove some of the hardware to lighten the load.
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