Word
lighten
Phoneticslight·en, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɫaɪtən/
UK/lˈaɪtən/
Definitions
01to make less heavy
B1 · Intermediate
v. to make something weigh less or feel easier to carry.
v. to reduce the weight of a physical load or alleviate a metaphorical burden.
“We need to lighten our bags before we start the long hike up the mountain.”
“The airline requested that passengers lighten their carry-on luggage to ensure the overhead bins could accommodate everyone's belongings safely.”
Antonyms
02to make brighter
B1 · Intermediate
v. to make a colour or a room look brighter or more pale.
v. to increase the luminosity of a space or to reduce the saturation and darkness of a colour.
“Adding a bit of white paint will lighten the blue on the walls.”
“The morning sun began to lighten the horizon, gradually revealing the jagged outlines of the distant coastal cliffs.”
Antonyms
03to become more cheerful
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to make a situation or a person feel less serious or more happy.
v. to mitigate the gravity of a situation or to improve a person's mood.
“He told a funny joke to lighten the mood during the stressful meeting.”
“The director attempted to lighten the tone of the play by introducing several moments of physical comedy in the second act.”
Antonyms
04to flash lightning
C2 · Proficiency Science Archaic · Literary
v. to give off flashes of lightning during a storm.
v. to emit flashes of lightning; used intransitively to describe atmospheric activity.
“The sky began to lighten and thunder rolled across the valley.”
“As the tempest reached its peak, the heavens would lighten with such frequency that the landscape remained visible in a strobe-like glare.”
Synonyms
Usage
Often used with 'up' to describe improving a mood or making a situation less formal.
Pitfall
He tried to light the mood.
He tried to lighten the mood.
Learners often confuse the verb 'light' (to ignite) with 'lighten' (to make less heavy or serious).
Real-World Examples
“Here's what you can do to lighten their load.” “She called for the rules to be “lightened up a bit” so workers can use their money in times of crisis.” Etymology
From Middle English lightnen, equivalent to light + -en.
From light + -en.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
02. lighten up
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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