lighten
1 of 2verb (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 2verb (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)
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
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
Kids Definition
lighten 1 of 2
verb
light·en ˈlī-tᵊn
lightened; lightening
: to make or become lighter, brighter, or clearer
lighten
2 of 2verb
lightened; lightening
1
: to make or become less heavy
2
: to make less sad or serious
A joke lightened the mood.
lightens 1 of 2
verb (1)
as in brightens
to become glad or hopeful the patient lightened when he heard the disease responds well to treatment Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- brightens
- glows
- revives
- looks up
- bucks up
- encourages
- rejoices
- beams
- radiates
- sparkles
- perks (up)
- cheers (up)
- gladdens
- heartens
- livens (up)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- darkens
- saddens
- despairs
- broods
- frets
- desponds
- mopes
lightens
2 of 2verb (2)
as in illumines
to supply with light the room was gradually lightened by the rising sun Synonyms & Similar Words
- illumines
- illuminates
- brightens
- lights
- bathes
- irradiates
- illumes
- beacons
- shines
- glows
- highlights
- glistens
- radiates
- beams
- ignites
- emblazes
- gleams
- dazzles
- kindles
- spotlights
- haloes
- incinerates
- floodlights
- glares
- beats (down)
- blinds
- glitters
- dazes
- enhaloes
- burns
- blazes
- flames
- bedazzles
- fires
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- darkens
- obfuscates
- blackens
- dulls
- obscures
- dims
- covers
- extinguishes
- shrouds
- quenches
- veils
- douses
- snuffs (out)
- puts out
- dowses