vt to free from trouble and fill with joy.
2. lighten ·vt to illuminate with knowledge; to enlighten.
3. lighten ·vi to descend; to light.
4. lighten ·vt to cheer; to exhilarate.
5. lighten ·vt to emit or disclose in, or as in, lightning; to flash out, like lightning.
6. lighten ·vi to grow lighter; to become less dark or lowering; to brighten; to clear, as the sky.
7. lighten ·vt to make less burdensome or afflictive; to alleviate; as, to lighten the cares of life or the burden of grief.
8. lighten ·vi to burst forth or dart, as lightning; to shine with, or like, lightning; to display a flash or flashes of lightning; to flash.
9. lighten ·vt to make lighter, or less heavy; to reduce in weight; to relieve of part of a load or burden; as, to lighten a ship by unloading; to lighten a load or burden.
10. lighten ·vt to make light or clear; to light; to illuminate; as, to lighten an apartment with lamps or gas; to lighten the streets.