[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/lighten/)

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# lighten

verb (lighten, lightens, lightened, lightening)

«lighten» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To lighten something is to make it less heavy: lighten your bag. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lighten/#m1)
2. To lighten is to make or become brighter or paler in colour: the sky lightened. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lighten/#m2)
3. To lighten a mood or a job is to make it easier or happier: a joke lightened the mood. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lighten/#m3)
4. Lighten up (informal) means relax and stop being so serious. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lighten/#m4)
5. Lighten can also mean to flash with lightning, as in a storm. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lighten/#m5)

### In the lessons

In everyday life: lighten the load, lighten the mood. In art: lighten a colour by adding white. In stories: «Her face lightened when she saw him.» Informal: «Lighten up!»

### Examples

- Take out some books to lighten your schoolbag. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lighten/#x1)
- The sky lightened as the sun came up. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lighten/#x2)
- Add white to lighten the blue paint. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lighten/#x3)
- Grandpa's jokes lightened the mood. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lighten/#x4)
- Helping each other lightens the work. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lighten/#x5)
- Oh, lighten up — it's only a game! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lighten/#x6)
- Her face lightened when she heard the good news. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lighten/#x7)
- One night there was a dreadful storm; it thundered and lightened and the rain streamed down in torrents. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lighten/#x8)

### Note

-ing form: lightening (no extra n). Trap: «lightening» (making lighter) vs «lightning» (the flash in a storm). Opposite: darken, or for weight: make heavier.

## In Jewish tradition

The psalmist says God makes his darkness bright and lights his eyes, so that light means rescue and life.

**Interpretation.** Tradition reads God as the source of light in times of trouble. The prayer "lighten mine eyes" is understood as asking for life and understanding.

### Examples

- For Thou art my lamp, O LORD; and the LORD doth lighten my darkness. (Prophets 2SA.22.29, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/L/lighten/#x1)
- For Thou dost light my lamp; the LORD my God doth lighten my darkness. (Writings PSA.18.29, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/L/lighten/#x2)
- Behold Thou, and answer me, O LORD my God; lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death; (Writings PSA.13.4, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/L/lighten/#x3)

### Note

-ing form: lightening (no extra n). Trap: «lightening» (making lighter) vs «lightning» (the flash in a storm). Opposite: darken, or for weight: make heavier.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «lighten» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lighten/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«lighten» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/lighten.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «lighten» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/L/lighten/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«lighten» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/lighten.html) on Mova free.