leaven

1 of 2

noun

leav·​en ˈle-vən 

1

a

: a substance (such as yeast) used to produce fermentation in dough or a liquid

especially : sourdough

b

: a material (such as baking powder) used to produce a gas that lightens dough or batter

2

: something that modifies or lightens

leaven

2 of 2

verb

leavened; leavening ˈlev-niŋ 

ˈle-və-

transitive verb

1

: to raise (something, such as bread) with a leaven

2

: to mingle or permeate with some modifying, alleviating, or vivifying element

especially : lighten

a sermon leavened with humor

Choose the Right Synonym for leaven

infuse, suffuse, imbue, ingrain, inoculate, leaven mean to introduce one thing into another so as to affect it throughout.

infuse implies a pouring in of something that gives new life or significance.

new members infused enthusiasm into the club

suffuse implies a spreading through of something that gives an unusual color or quality.

a room suffused with light

imbue implies the introduction of a quality that fills and permeates the whole being.

imbue students with intellectual curiosity

ingrain, used only in the passive or past participle, suggests the deep implanting of a quality or trait.

clung to ingrained habits

inoculate implies an imbuing or implanting with a germinal idea and often suggests stealth or subtlety.

an electorate inoculated with dangerous ideas

leaven implies introducing something that enlivens, tempers, or markedly alters the total quality.

a serious play leavened with comic moments

Example Sentences

Noun

a serious book that includes a few humorous stories as leaven

Verb

He needs to leaven his speeches with more humor.

using yeast to leaven the dough

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Some are growing sourdough starters — the living, microbial goop that helps leaven bread and delivers a characteristic tangy flavor. —Leslie Nemo, Discover Magazine, 6 May 2020

All the more reason, therefore, for the one person uniquely positioned to be a lever for peace, and leaven of justice, to act. —Tim Kelleher, National Review, 3 Mar. 2022

Pulque would supply a baker with an abundance of yeasts to leaven bread. —Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2022

Having faith that we are created beings made for more than our jobs and presidential elections makes things like virtue and the Beatitudes leaven in our mess of the world. —Kathryn Jean Lopez, National Review, 28 Feb. 2022

Larger, more opulent parades will follow in February as Mardi Gras nears and the city attempts to leaven the season's joy with caution. —Kevin Mcgill, ajc, 6 Jan. 2022

But touches like the Ron Swanson leaven the deep thoughts with a little fun. —al, 7 Sep. 2021

During the seven or eight-day festival, all leaven, in bread or otherwise, is prohibited, and only matzo — unleavened bread — may be eaten, which symbolizes Hebrew suffering while in slavery and their ensuing deliverance and exodus. —Andre Toran, The Courier-Journal, 25 Mar. 2021

To leaven the choice, Bush designated Bob Teeter to be deputy chief of staff. —Tevi Troy, Washington Examiner, 18 Feb. 2021

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Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English levain, from Anglo-French levein, from Vulgar Latin *levamen, from Latin levare to raise — more at lever

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

leaven

1 of 2 noun

leav·​en ˈlev-ən 

1

a

: a substance (as yeast) used to produce a gaseous fermentation (as in dough)

b

: a material (as baking powder) used to produce a gas that makes dough or batter rise and become light

2

: something that changes slightly or lightens a mass or whole

leaven

2 of 2 verb

leavened; leavening ˈlev-(ə-)niŋ 

1

: to raise (dough) with a leaven

2

: to mix or spread throughout with leaven