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lighten
1[ lahyt-n ]
verb (used without object)
- to become lighter or less dark; brighten:
The sky lightened after the storm.
- to brighten or light up, as the eyes or features:
Her face lightened when she heard the good news.
- to flash as or like lightning (often used impersonally with it as subject):
It thundered and lightened for hours.
- Archaic. to shine, gleam, or be bright:
steel blades lightening in the sun.
verb (used with object)
- to give light to; illuminate:
A full moon lightened the road.
- to brighten (the eyes, features, etc.):
A large smile lightened his face.
- to make lighter or less dark:
Add white to lighten the paint.
- Obsolete. enlighten.
- 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)
verb (used without object)
- to become less severe, stringent, or harsh; ease up:
Border inspections have lightened recently.
- to become less heavy, cumbersome, burdensome, oppressive, etc.:
His worries seem to have lightened somewhat.
- to become less gloomy; perk up:
People's spirits usually lighten when spring arrives.
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
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Other Words From
- lighten·er noun
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Word History and Origins
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Example Sentences
Doane tweeted, “the film does make fun of Wannabe Berean unimaginative Christians who need to lighten up.”
Jazz lovers who had taken exception to the previous bashing were told to lighten up, and stop complaining.
As mourning time progressed and the emotional strain began to subside, the black hues began to lighten.
“That sound is a requirement for renting a car in Costa Rica,” Mugianis jokes to lighten the mood.
Of course, I am aware that this is a simply a video game and critics would say I should lighten up.
Thou art the help of Christians; lighten our tribulations, and help us with motherly intercession at the throne of thy divine Son.
Obviously, the very least they could do, was to try by all means in their power, to lighten the burden they had laid upon her.
Pretty soon it darkened up, and begun to thunder and lighten; so the birds was right about it.
Elvedon was rather like that, though the present tenants have managed to lighten it a good deal.
If the rollways could be definitely cleared once, the work would lighten all along the line.
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