plural lighteners
: a substance that makes something lighter in color
especially
: a chemical substance used to lighten hair or skin
When my hair started getting darker in my early teens, my mother handed me a bottle of spray-on lightener to help me stay blond. —
Cybill Shepherd
Cybill Shepherd
plural lighteners
: one that makes something lighter in mood, weight, etc.
When cameras were not rolling, his off-beat humor made him a mood lightener among friends and colleagues, and he could play whatever role was asked of him.—Emma Stickgold
Emma StickgoldExamples of lightener in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the WebSophia Panych, Allure, 2 Apr. 2024
Its active melasma fighters have good concentrations of azelaic acid and alpha arbutin, a form of prescription-grade skin lightener hydroquinone.
—Kayla Blanton, Verywell Health, 22 Sep. 2023
But for those looking to treat hyperpigmentation—and who would prefer to avoid abrasive lighteners and laser treatments—investing in a product that includes kojic acid is a worthwhile skincare step.
—Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 2 Aug. 2023
Respondents who used skin lighteners reported experiencing colorism in their lives.
—Char Adams, NBC News, 14 July 2023
Traditionally, the colorist mixes the lightener with water to soften the lightener.
—Alexis Benveniste, Allure, 20 June 2022
Candidates for purple shampoo include those who have platinum hair, blonde highlights or anyone who has had some form of lightener or bleach in their hair.
—Rachel Dube, Peoplemag, 18 Nov. 2022
Mostly brunette, the wafer-thin, bleached strands that sit at the front of her face impart a contouring effect — think of the technique as a modern-day alternative to using Sun-In hair lightener.
—Jacqueline Kilikita, refinery29.com, 24 Jan. 2022
Black Lives Matter activism has jolted the skin lightener industry.
—Lynn M. Thomas, Quartz Africa, 29 Nov. 2020
Noun
Hydrogen peroxide, which is used in hair lightener and hair color to lighten hair and develop color, is easily catalyzed by metals like copper and iron, explains George.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 2 Apr. 2024
Its active melasma fighters have good concentrations of azelaic acid and alpha arbutin, a form of prescription-grade skin lightener hydroquinone.
—Kayla Blanton, Verywell Health, 22 Sep. 2023
But for those looking to treat hyperpigmentation—and who would prefer to avoid abrasive lighteners and laser treatments—investing in a product that includes kojic acid is a worthwhile skincare step.
—Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 2 Aug. 2023
Respondents who used skin lighteners reported experiencing colorism in their lives.
—Char Adams, NBC News, 14 July 2023
Traditionally, the colorist mixes the lightener with water to soften the lightener.
—Alexis Benveniste, Allure, 20 June 2022
Candidates for purple shampoo include those who have platinum hair, blonde highlights or anyone who has had some form of lightener or bleach in their hair.
—Rachel Dube, Peoplemag, 18 Nov. 2022
Mostly brunette, the wafer-thin, bleached strands that sit at the front of her face impart a contouring effect — think of the technique as a modern-day alternative to using Sun-In hair lightener.
—Jacqueline Kilikita, refinery29.com, 24 Jan. 2022
Black Lives Matter activism has jolted the skin lightener industry.
—Lynn M. Thomas, Quartz Africa, 29 Nov. 2020
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lightener.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near lightener
Cite this Entry
“Lightener.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lightener. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.
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