'Lighten' definitions:

Definition of 'lighten'

From: WordNet
verb
Make more cheerful; "the conversation lightened me up a bit" [syn: lighten, lighten up, buoy up] [ant: weigh down, weigh on]
verb
Reduce the weight on; make lighter; "she lightened the load on the tired donkey"
verb
Become more cheerful; "after a glass of wine, he lightened up a bit" [syn: lighten, lighten up, buoy up]
verb
Make lighter or brighter; "The paint will brighten the room" [syn: brighten, lighten up, lighten] [ant: darken]
verb
Become lighter; "The room lightened up" [syn: lighten, lighten up] [ant: darken]
verb
Alleviate or remove (pressure or stress) or make less oppressive; "relieve the pressure and the stress"; "lighten the burden of caring for her elderly parents" [syn: relieve, lighten]

Definition of 'Lighten'

From: GCIDE
  • Lighten \Light"en\, v. t. [See Light to illuminate.]
  • 1. To make light or clear; to light; to illuminate; as, to lighten an apartment with lamps or gas; to lighten the streets. [In this sense less common than light.] [1913 Webster]
  • A key of fire ran all along the shore, And lightened all the river with a blaze. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. To illuminate with knowledge; to enlighten. [In this sense less common than enlighten.] [1913 Webster]
  • Lighten my spirit with one clear heavenly ray. --Sir J. Davies. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. To emit or disclose in, or as in, lightning; to flash out, like lightning. [1913 Webster]
  • His eye . . . lightens forth Controlling majesty. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. To free from trouble and fill with joy. [1913 Webster]
  • They looked unto him, and were lightened. --Ps. xxxiv. 5. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Lighten'

From: GCIDE
  • Lighten \Light"en\ (l[imac]t"'n), v. i. [See Light to alight.] To descend; to light. [1913 Webster]
  • O Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us. --Book of Common Prayer [Eng. Ed.]. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Lighten'

From: GCIDE
  • Lighten \Light"en\ (l[imac]t"'n), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Lightened (l[imac]t"'nd); p. pr. & vb. n. Lightening.] [OE. lightenen. See Light to kindle, illuminate.]
  • 1. To burst forth or dart, as lightning; to shine with, or like, lightning; to display a flash or flashes of lightning; to flash. [1913 Webster]
  • This dreadful night, That thunders, lightens, opens graves, and roars As doth the lion. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. To grow lighter; to become less dark or lowering; to brighten; to clear, as the sky. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Lighten'

From: GCIDE
  • Lighten \Light"en\, v. t. [See Light not heavy.]
  • 1. To make lighter, or less heavy; to reduce in weight; to relieve of part of a load or burden; as, to lighten a ship by unloading; to lighten a load or burden. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. To make less burdensome or afflictive; to alleviate; as, to lighten the cares of life or the burden of grief. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. To cheer; to exhilarate. [1913 Webster]
  • Lightens my humor with his merry jests. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Synonyms of 'lighten'

From: Moby Thesaurus

Words containing 'Lighten'