lighten

lighten
[[t]la͟ɪt(ə)n[/t]]
lightens, lightening, lightened
1) V-ERG When something lightens or when you lighten it, it becomes less dark in colour.

The sky began to lighten...

[V n] Leslie lightens her hair and has now had it cut into a short, feathered style.

Ant:
2) VERB If someone lightens a situation, they make it less serious or less boring.

[V n] Anthony felt the need to lighten the atmosphere...

[V n] He managed to lighten the generally lifeless debate at times...

[V n] Her existence was lightened by bits of gossip.

3) V-ERG If your attitude, or mood lightens, or if someone or something lightens it, they make you feel more cheerful, happy, and relaxed.

As they approached the outskirts of the city, Ella's mood visibly lightened...

[V n] The sun was streaming in through the window, yet it did nothing to lighten his mood.

4) VERB If you lighten something, you make it less heavy.

[V n] It is a good idea to blend it in a food processor as this lightens the mixture...

[V-ed] He pulled the lightened sled with all his strength.

5) PHRASE: V inflects If someone or something lightens your burden or your load, they make a bad or difficult situation better for you.

The minister has persuaded the banks to lighten the burden of the foreign debt...

In sharing this secret you lighten your burden...

If you are responsible for children, lighten the load by asking others to help.

Phrasal Verbs:

English dictionary. 2008.

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Synonyms:
(said of lightning), , , , / , , , , , / , , / , ,


Look at other dictionaries:

  • Lighten — Light en, v. t. [See {Light} to illuminate.] 1. To make light or clear; to light; to illuminate; as, to lighten an apartment with lamps or gas; to lighten the streets. [In this sense less common than light.] [1913 Webster] A key of fire ran all… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Lighten — Light en, v. t. [See {Light} not heavy.] 1. To make lighter, or less heavy; to reduce in weight; to relieve of part of a load or burden; as, to lighten a ship by unloading; to lighten a load or burden. [1913 Webster] 2. To make less burdensome or …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • lighten — [v1] illuminate become light, brighten, flash, gleam, illume, irradiate, light, light up, make bright, shine; concept 624 Ant. blacken, darken, dim, dull lighten [v2] reduce weight, load allay, alleviate, ameliorate, assuage, attenuate, buoy,… …   New thesaurus

  • Lighten — Light en (l[imac]t n), v. i. [See {Light} to alight.] To descend; to light. [1913 Webster] O Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us. Book of Common Prayer [Eng. Ed.]. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • lighten — (someone s)/the load to make a difficult or upsetting situation easier to deal with. Anyway, we ll be getting a temp in next month to do some of this work so that should lighten your load …   New idioms dictionary

  • lighten# — lighten vb *illuminate, illumine, light, enlighten, illustrate Antonyms: darken lighten vb alleviate, mitigate, *relieve, assuage, allay Analogous words: lessen, reduce, diminish, *decrease, abate: *moderate, temper, qualify: attenuate, extenuate …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • lighten — Ⅰ. lighten [1] ► VERB 1) make or become lighter in weight. 2) make or become less serious. Ⅱ. lighten [2] ► VERB ▪ make or become brighter …   English terms dictionary

  • lighten — lighten1 [līt′ n] vt. [ME lightnen] 1. to make light or bright; illuminate 2. to make light or pale 3. to cause to flash in or as in lightning: with out or forth 4. Archaic to give knowledge to; enlighten vi. 1 …   English World dictionary

  • Lighten — Light en (l[imac]t n), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Lightened} (l[imac]t nd); p. pr. & vb. n. {Lightening}.] [OE. lightenen. See {Light} to kindle, illuminate.] 1. To burst forth or dart, as lightning; to shine with, or like, lightning; to display a… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • lighten — index abate (lessen), allay, alleviate, attenuate, commute, diminish, ease, extenuate …   Law dictionary

  • lighten up — verb 1. make lighter or brighter The paint will brighten the room • Syn: ↑brighten, ↑lighten • Ant: ↑darken (for: ↑brighten) • Hypern …   Useful english dictionary

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