lighten
(līt′'n)
transitive verb
- to make light or bright; illuminate
- to make light or pale
- to cause to flash in or as in lightning: with out or forth
- Archaic to give knowledge to; enlighten
Origin:
ME lightnen
intransitive verb
- to become light; grow brighter
- to shine brightly; flash
- to give off flashes of lightning
transitive verb
- to make lighter in weight
- to make less heavy; reduce the load of
- to make less severe, harsh, or troublesome
- to make more cheerful; gladden
Origin:
ME lihtnen
intransitive verb
- to become lighter in weight
- to become more cheerful
See lighten in American Heritage Dictionary 4
verb light·ened,
light·en·ing,
light·ens verb, transitivea. To make light or lighter; illuminate or brighten.
b. To make (a color) lighter.
- Archaic To enlighten.
verb, intransitive- To become lighter; brighten.
- To be luminous; shine.
- To give off flashes of lightning.
verb light·ened,
light·en·ing,
light·ens verb, transitive- To make less heavy.
- To lessen the oppressiveness, trouble, or severity of. See Synonyms at relieve.
- To relieve of cares or worries; gladden.
verb, intransitive- To become less in weight.
- To become less oppressive, troublesome, or severe.
- To become cheerful.
Phrasal Verb: lighten up Informal To take matters less seriously:
Everything will work out fine, so stop worrying and lighten up.
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