˜yÐÄvlog

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View synonyms for

lighten

1

[ lahyt-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.



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, or down ):

    eyes that lightened forth implacable hatred.

lighten

2

[ lahyt-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: , ,

    Antonyms:

  4. to cheer or gladden:

    Such news lightens my heart.

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

/ ˈ±ô²¹Éª³ÙÉ™²Ô /

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
“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

lighten

2

/ ˈ±ô²¹Éª³ÙÉ™²Ô /

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
“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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Other ˜yÐÄvlog Forms

  • ±ô¾±²µ³ó³ÙIJÔ·±ð°ù noun
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˜yÐÄvlog History and Origins

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
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

“So I try to do things with a smile to kind of lighten the mood. It’s probably why I’m joking in between every song. Comedic relief.â€

From

"The Scottish government and local authorities, as the employers of teachers, must act in line with their duty of care to ensure that the current crippling workload burden on teachers is lightened."

From

Skin-whitening or lightening, also known as bleaching in Nigeria, is used in different parts of the world for cosmetic reasons, though these often have deep cultural roots.

From

Doncic expressed shock at the trade and might well be thinking hard about lightening up rather than lighting up.

From

After a short break, the judge attempted to lighten the mood by theatrically introducing the attorneys like boxers before resuming the trial.

From

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