light ‧ en /ˈlaɪtn/ BrE AmE verb
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ light , ↑ lighter , ↑ lighting , ↑ lightness ; adjective : ↑ light , ↑ lighted , ↑ unlit ; verb : ↑ light , ↑ lighten ; adverb : ↑ lightly , ↑ light ]
1 . [transitive] to reduce the amount of work, worry, debt etc that someone has OPP increase
lighten the load/burden/workload
We should hire another secretary to lighten Barbara’s workload.
2 . [intransitive and transitive] to become brighter or less dark, or to make something brighter etc OPP darken :
As the sky lightened, we were able to see where we were.
3 . [intransitive and transitive] if you lighten something such as a mood or ↑ atmosphere , or if it lightens, it becomes less sad or serious
lighten the atmosphere/mood/conversation
Nora didn’t respond to my attempts to lighten the conversation.
4 . [intransitive] if someone’s face or expression lightens, they begin to look more cheerful:
His whole face would lighten when anyone mentioned Nancy.
5 . [intransitive and transitive] to reduce the weight of something, or to become less heavy
6 . lighten up spoken used to tell someone not to be so serious about something:
You need to lighten up a bit.