lighten

1 of 2

verb (1)

light·​en ˈlī-tᵊn 

lightened; lightening ˈlīt-niŋ 

ˈlī-tᵊn-iŋ

transitive verb

1

: to make light or clear : illuminate

2

archaic : enlighten

3

: to make (something, such as a color) lighter

intransitive verb

1

a

archaic : to shine brightly

b

: to grow lighter : brighten

2

: to give out flashes of lightning

lighten

2 of 2

verb (2)

lightened; lightening ˈlīt-niŋ 

ˈlī-tᵊn-iŋ

transitive verb

1

a

: to relieve of a burden in whole or in part

the news lightened his mind

b

: to reduce in weight or quantity : lessen

c

: to make less wearisome : alleviate

lighten our sorrow

2

: cheer, gladden

intransitive verb

1

: to become lighter or less burdensome

2

: to become more cheerful

Synonyms

Verb (1)

• bathe
• beacon
• emblaze
• illume
• illuminate
• illumine
• irradiate
• light

Verb (2)

• brighten
• buck up
• cheer (up)
• look up
• perk (up)

Choose the Right Synonym for lighten

relieve, alleviate, lighten, assuage, mitigate, allay mean to make something less grievous.

relieve implies a lifting of enough of a burden to make it tolerable.

took an aspirin to relieve the pain

alleviate implies temporary or partial lessening of pain or distress.

the lotion alleviated the itching

lighten implies reducing a burdensome or depressing weight.

good news would lighten our worries

assuage implies softening or sweetening what is harsh or disagreeable.

ocean breezes assuaged the intense heat

mitigate suggests a moderating or countering of the effect of something violent or painful.

the need to mitigate barbaric laws

allay implies an effective calming or soothing of fears or alarms.

allayed their fears

Examples of lighten in a Sentence

Verb (1)

the room was gradually lightened by the rising sun

Verb (2)

the patient lightened when he heard the disease responds well to treatment

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Named after the wintry European region, the Scandinavian hairline refers to a dyeing technique that lightens the wispy, fine strands that frame your face. —Hannah Malach, WWD, 19 Dec. 2024

Here’s how your credit card can lighten the load this holiday season. —Erika Kullberg, USA TODAY, 15 Dec. 2024

Buttermilk is used to lighten the mashed russet potatoes in this recipe. —Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 24 Nov. 2024

While the return of Brad Torrance is meant to lighten the mood, the only real respite this week is Buck’s embrace of his new identity as a baker to distract from his heartbreak. —Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English lightenen, from light

First Known Use

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Verb (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing lighten

• lighten up

Kids Definition

lighten

1 of 2 verb

light·​en ˈlīt-ᵊn 

lightened; lightening ˈlīt-niŋ 

-ᵊn-iŋ

1

: to make or become light, lighter, or clear : brighten

2

: to give out flashes of lightning

lightener

ˈlīt-nər 

-ᵊn-ər

noun

lighten

2 of 2 verb

lightened; lightening ˈlīt-niŋ 

-ᵊn-iŋ

: to make or become less heavy or less difficult

lighten a load

lightened her duties

lightener

ˈlīt-nər 

-ᵊn-ər

noun