lighten

Word parts

light + -en

Pronunciation

• IPA ^(key): /ˈlaɪ.tən/

• Audio (UK)

  (file)

Verb

Plain form lighten

Third-person singular lightens

Past tense lightened

Past participle lightened

Present participle lightening

1. If you lighten something, you reduce its weight.
2. If you lighten something, you make it less dark.
   • Antonym: darken

   She lightened the room by opening the curtains.

3. If you lighten something, you make it more cheerful or less serious.

   She lightened the mood by making a joke.