lighten meaning and definition

LIGHTEN verb

Definition of lighten (verb)

1. make more cheerful
   • "the conversation lightened me up a bit"
   • synonyms: buoy up, lighten up
   • antonym: weigh down
2. reduce the weight on; make lighter
   • "she lightened the load on the tired donkey"
3. become more cheerful
   • "after a glass of wine, he lightened up a bit"
   • synonyms: buoy up, lighten up
4. make lighter or brighter
   • "The paint will brighten the room"
   • synonyms: brighten, lighten up
   • antonym: darken
5. become lighter
   • "The room lightened up"
   • synonyms: lighten up
   • antonym: darken
6. alleviate or remove (pressure or stress) or make less oppressive
   • "relieve the pressure and the stress"; "lighten the burden of caring for her elderly parents"
   • synonyms: relieve