lighten

Meaning

  1. (transitive) To make brighter or clearer; to illuminate.
  2. (intransitive) To become brighter or clearer; to brighten.
  3. (archaic, intransitive) To flash lightning, to give off lightning.
  4. (transitive) To emit or disclose in, or as if in, lightning; to flash out, like lightning.
  5. (archaic) To illuminate with knowledge.

Synonyms

relieve
C1
lighten up
brighten
C2
alleviate
24k
illuminate
23k
ease
B2
lessen
25k
buoy up
facilitate
20k
clear
A1
flash
B2
light
A1

make easier

reduce
C1
illumine

make light

make easy

twinkle
C2

flash as lightning

assuage
49k
break
A1
shine
B2
mitigate
37k

make lighter

light up
abate
41k

be bright with light

diminish
22k
excite
C2
enliven
enlighten
C2
cheerful
C1
bleach
C2
energize
33k
energise
ease up
jazz up
ease off
cheer
B2
begin
A2
inspirit
illumination
30k
drop off
ignite
C2
help
A1
invigorate
happy
A1
😀
jolly
C1
kindle
37k
delightful
C1
Translations

alléger
alleggerire
aligerar
schiarire
agevolare
aliviar
clarear

φωτίζω

erhellen
erleichtern
alleugerir
éclaircir
aliviar
aclarar
verlichten
Frequency

C1
Pronounced as (IPA)
/ˈlaɪ.tən/
Etymology

Inherited from Middle English
lightnen
In summary

From Middle English lightnen, equivalent to light + -en.

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English