lightens
|light/ens|
/ˈlaɪtən/
(lighten)
make lighter or brighter
Etymology
'lighten' originates from Old English, specifically the verb 'lihtan' (also spelled 'līhtan'), formed from the adjective 'lēoht'/'leoht' meaning 'light' plus the verbalizing suffix '-en'.
'lighten' developed in Old English as 'lihtan' (to make light) and passed into Middle English as 'lightenen' before becoming the modern English 'lighten'.
Initially, it meant 'to make light in weight or brightness'; over time it also developed figurative senses such as 'to relieve burden' or 'to make less serious (mood or situation)'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
third-person singular present of 'lighten': to make something less heavy or to reduce the weight or load of something.
She lightens her backpack by leaving unnecessary books at home.
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Verb 2
third-person singular present of 'lighten': to make a color or shade paler or to make a place brighter by adding light.
The morning sun lightens the kitchen and makes it feel warm.
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Verb 3
third-person singular present of 'lighten': to reduce the severity or seriousness of something, or to make someone's mood less heavy.
A small joke lightens the tense meeting and helps people relax.
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Last updated: 2025/12/02 12:02