lighten

• Verb, das angibt, dass etwas leichter, heller oder weniger ernst wird; es kann sich auf das Verringern von Gewicht, das Aufhellen von Farben oder das Entspannen einer Stimmung beziehen.

A verb used to indicate the act of making something lighter in weight, color, or mood, or to become less heavy or serious.

1. Make more cheerfulB1informal

   To make someone feel happier or less serious.

   Fröhlicher machen

   • Her joke lightened the mood in the room.
   • He tried to lighten the conversation with a funny story.
   • Music can lighten your spirits after a long day.

   Synonymebrightenbuoy upcheercheer upenlivengladdenliftuplift

   Antonymeburdendarkenoppresssaddenweigh

2. Reduce weightB1formal

   To make something physically lighter or less heavy.

   Erleichtern

   • We need to lighten the load before the hike.
   • She lightened her backpack by removing unnecessary items.
   • The truck was lightened by unloading some cargo.

   Synonymedisburdenunburdenunload

   Antonymeweigh down

3. Become more cheerfulB1informal

   To become happier or less serious.

   Fröhlicher werden

   • His mood lightened after hearing the good news.
   • The atmosphere lightened when the music started.
   • She lightened up once she realized the problem was solved.

   Synonymebrightenbuck upcheer upliven upperk up

   Antonymedarkendepresssaddenworsen

4. Make lighter or brighterB2formal

   To make something brighter in color or illumination.

   Aufhellen

   • The painter lightened the walls with a pale shade.
   • Opening the curtains lightened the entire room.
   • She lightened her hair with a new dye.

   Synonymebrightenilluminateillumineirradiatelight up

   Antonymedarkendimobscureshade

5. Become lighterB2formal

   To become brighter or less dark.

   Heller werden

   • The sky lightened as the sun rose.
   • The room lightened when the clouds passed.
   • Her complexion lightened after using the cream.

   Synonymebrightenclearlight up

   Antonymeblackendarkendimshade

6. Alleviate pressure or stressB2formal

   To reduce or remove a burden, pressure, or stress.

   Erleichterung verschaffen

   • The new policy lightened the workload for employees.
   • Talking to a friend can lighten your emotional burden.
   • Delegating tasks helped lighten the pressure on the manager.

   Synonymeallayalleviateassuagediminisheaselessenmitigatemoderatereducerelieve

   Antonymeburdenloadoppresstaxweigh

Phrasal-Variantenlighten up