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Lightened Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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lightened

[หˆlaษชtnd ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

feeling or burden

Make (a burden or problem) less severe or serious.

Synonyms

alleviate, ease, reduce, relieve.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
lightened

Use this word when referring to making something less heavy or more cheerful.

  • She lightened her bag by taking out some books.
  • His mood lightened after hearing the good news.
alleviate

Preferred in formal settings when discussing reducing pain, stress, or difficult situations.

  • The medication will help alleviate the patient's pain.
  • Efforts were made to alleviate the housing crisis.
ease

Commonly used when making something less difficult or less severe.

  • He took deep breaths to ease his anxiety.
  • A quick phone call can ease someone's worries.
reduce

Utilized when talking about lowering the quantity, size, or intensity of something.

  • We need to reduce our expenses this month.
  • The new regulations aim to reduce pollution.
relieve

Used to talk about removing discomfort, pain, or burden, often creating a feeling of increased comfort.

  • The medicine will relieve your headache.
  • He was relieved to find out he passed the exam.

Examples of usage

  • The news lightened the mood at the office.
  • She felt a weight lifted off her shoulders after talking to her friend.
Context #2 | Verb

color or shade

Make or become lighter in color.

Synonyms

brighten, pale, whiten.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
lightened

Used to describe making something less heavy, but also used interchangeably with 'lightened' as noted previously.

  • She lightened the load by removing unnecessary items.
  • The sky lightened as the storm passed.
brighten

Used when making something lighter or more cheerful, often used to describe lighting up a room, the weather, or improving someone's mood.

  • The new paint will brighten up the room.
  • His smile seemed to brighten her whole day.
whiten

Used when something is made more white or clean, often used in the context of teeth, clothes, or other surfaces.

  • She used a special toothpaste to whiten her teeth.
  • He wanted to whiten the old, yellowed curtains.
pale

Used to describe a lack of color or brightness, often referring to someone's complexion, or the color of objects. Can imply weakness or illness if referring to a person.

  • She looked pale after being sick for a week.
  • The walls were painted a pale shade of blue.

Examples of usage

  • The sun lightened her hair over the summer.
  • The sky gradually lightened as the storm passed.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Emotionally, feeling 'lightened' often relates to a reduction in stress and anxiety levels.
  • Studies show that laughter can lighten moods, enhancing overall mental wellbeing.
  • Simple acts of kindness can make both the giver and receiver feel lighter emotionally.

Literature

  • Many authors use the imagery of light to symbolize hope or joy in their narratives.
  • In poetry, contrasting 'lightened' emotions with heavy feelings can create powerful imagery.
  • Famous works like Shakespeare's plays often explore themes of enlightenment and personal growth.

Art

  • Artists use light in their works to create contrast, making scenes feel lighter or darker.
  • Lightening the colors in a painting can evoke feelings of happiness or tranquility.
  • In photography, manipulating light can change the emotional impact of an image significantly.

Pop Culture

  • In movies, characters often 'lighten' the mood after a serious scene by cracking jokes.
  • Popular songs frequently discuss themes of love and companionship as ways to lighten life's burdens.
  • Shows like 'Friends' use humor to lighten heavy topics, emphasizing connections between characters.

Origin of 'lightened'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Old English 'leohtian', meaning to make light or easy.
  • In Middle English, it evolved to 'lightenen', emphasizing both brightness and ease.
  • The base word 'light' has connections to meanings such as 'illumination' and 'lack of weight'.

The word 'lightened' is the past tense and past participle of the verb 'lighten'. The term 'lighten' has its origins in Middle English, derived from the Old English word 'lihtan', meaning 'to make light or lessen'. Over time, the word evolved to encompass various meanings related to reducing burden, brightness, or seriousness.

See also: enlighten, highlight, light, lighten, lightening, lighter, lightheaded, lightheadedness, lighthearted, lightheartedly, lightheartedness, lighting, lightly, lightness, lightweight, relight.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,975, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.