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lighten
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2 ENTRIES FOUND:
  1. lighten
  2. lighten up

1light·en

verb \ˈlī-tən\
light·enedlight·en·ing \ˈlīt-niŋ, ˈlī-tən-iŋ\

Definition of LIGHTEN

transitive verb
1
: to make light or clear : illuminate
2
archaic : enlighten
3
: to make (as a color) lighter
intransitive verb
1
a archaic : to shine brightly
b : to grow lighter : brighten
2
: to give out flashes of lightning
— light·en·er \ˈlīt-nər, ˈlī-tən-ər\ noun

Origin of LIGHTEN

Middle English lightenen, from light
First Known Use: 14th century

Rhymes with LIGHTEN

brighten, Brighton, chitin, chiton, frighten, heighten, tighten, titan, triton, whiten

2lighten

verb
light·enedlight·en·ing \ˈlīt-niŋ, ˈlī-tən-iŋ\

Definition of LIGHTEN

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
— light·en·er \ˈlīt-nər, ˈlī-tən-ər\ noun

First Known Use of LIGHTEN

14th century

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