The meaning of LIGHTEN is to make light or clear : illuminate. How to use lighten in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Lighten.

Lighten definition: to become lighter or less dark; brighten.. See examples of LIGHTEN used in a sentence.

lighten verb (MAKE LESS HEAVY) lighten someone's burden, load, etc. to make a difficult situation or responsibility easier:

Definition of lighten verb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

to (cause to) become cheery or glad: [~ + object] Such news lightens my heart. [no object] His heart lightened at the thought. lighten up, to (cause to) become less serious or earnest: [no …

To lighten something is to make it brighter or shine a light on it. You can lighten your dark basement room with plenty of lamps and a coat of white paint.

Oct 23, 2025 · lighten (third-person singular simple present lightens, present participle lightening, simple past and past participle lightened) (transitive) To alleviate; to reduce the burden of. …

1. to make lighter in weight. 2. to lessen the load of or upon. 3. to make less burdensome or oppressive; mitigate: to lighten taxes. 4. to cheer or gladden: Such news lightens my heart.

There are 16 meanings listed in OED's entry for the verb lighten, three of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

lighten verb (MAKE LESS HEAVY) lighten someone's burden, load, etc. to make a difficult situation or responsibility easier: