lessen
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
to make something smaller, weaker, or less in amount.
to cause something to decrease in size, extent, amount, or degree. Transitive — takes a direct object.
Simple“The new medicine helped to lessen the pain in his back.”
In context“The government introduced several tax breaks intended to lessen the financial burden on small business owners during the recession.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
to become smaller or weaker.
to become less in size, degree, or intensity. Intransitive — used without a direct object.
Simple“As the storm moved away, the sound of the wind began to lessen.”
In context“The risk of infection will lessen significantly once the patient completes the full course of antibiotics.”
From Middle English lessenen, lasnen, equivalent to less + -en (verbal suffix).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.