lighten

1
[ lahyt-n ]
/ ˈlaɪt n /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR lighten ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object)

verb (used with object)

Origin of lighten

1
1300–50; Middle English lightnen; see light1, -en1

OTHER WORDS FROM lighten

light·en·er, noun

Words nearby lighten

light-sensitive, light-struck, light-year, lightboard, lightboat, lighten, lighten up, lightening, lighter, lighter fluid, lighter than air

Definition for lightened (2 of 2)

lighten 2
[ lahyt-n ]
/ ˈlaɪt n /

verb (used with object)

to make lighter in weight: to lighten the load on a truck.
to lessen the load of or upon: to lighten a cargo ship.
to make less burdensome or oppressive; alleviate; mitigate: to lighten taxes; to lighten someone's cares.
to cheer or gladden: Such news lightens my heart.

verb (used without object)

Origin of lighten

2
1350–1400; Middle English lightnen; see light2, -en1

Words related to lightened

brighten, mitigate, dilute, facilitate, ease, relieve, lessen, alleviate, mollify, ameliorate, shine, irradiate, light, flash, illume, gleam, reduce, decrease, allay, levitate

Example sentences from the Web for lightened

British Dictionary definitions for lightened (1 of 2)

lighten 1
/ (ˈlaɪtən) /

verb

to become or make light
(intr) to shine; glow
(intr) (of lightning) to flash
(tr) an archaic word for enlighten

British Dictionary definitions for lightened (2 of 2)

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