# lightening

/ˈɫaɪtənɪŋ/ (US) · /lˈaɪtənɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/lightening
Updated: 2026-05-11

## Definition

the process of making something lighter in color or weight. You use this when talking about hair, skin, or even the sky as it gets brighter.

For teachers: the act or process of making something less dark or less heavy. Often refers to the reduction of pigment in hair or skin, or the brightening of the sky at dawn.

## Examples

- The lightening of the sky means morning is coming.
- She noticed a gradual lightening of her hair after spending several weeks at the beach.
- The artist achieved a subtle lightening of the background by layering thin washes of white paint over the original blue tones.

## Pitfalls

- Not "The thunder and lightening were scary." but "The thunder and lightning were scary." — Learners often confuse 'lightening' (making lighter) with 'lightning' (the flash of light in the sky).

## Usage notes

- Often used in the context of aesthetics or meteorology; not to be confused with the electrical discharge during a storm.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.