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Lightening Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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lightening

[ˈlaɪt.nɪŋ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

in weather

The occurrence of a natural electrical discharge of very short duration and high voltage between a cloud and the ground or within a cloud, accompanied by a bright flash and typically also thunder.

Synonyms

electrical discharge, thunderbolt.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
lightening

Used in the context of making something lighter in weight, color, or mood. Not to be confused with 'lightning,' which refers to an electrical phenomenon.

  • She tried lightening her hair with a new shampoo.
  • The new diet has been very successful in lightening his weight.
electrical discharge

Used in a technical or scientific context to describe the flow of electricity through a medium, often in a controlled environment like a laboratory or when discussing natural phenomena such as lightning.

  • An electrical discharge can occur when high voltage is applied.
  • The experiment required careful monitoring of the electrical discharge.

Examples of usage

  • The storm was intense, with frequent lightening and booming thunder.
  • Lightening is a common phenomenon during thunderstorms.
Context #2 | Noun

in weight

The action or process of making or becoming less heavy.

Synonyms

easing the load, reducing weight.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
lightening

Usually referred to in the context of reducing the heaviness or weight of something, either physically or emotionally.

  • The volunteers worked hard at lightening the load of the donations
  • Lightening his schedule made a big difference to his stress levels
reducing weight

Typically used when speaking about physical weight loss or making something physically lighter.

  • Reducing weight of the equipment made it easier to carry
  • He focused on reducing weight through diet and exercise
easing the load

Commonly used when discussing sharing responsibilities or making tasks less demanding, often to help someone else.

  • She helped her colleague by easing the load during the busy season
  • To ease the load, the team decided to delegate more tasks

Examples of usage

  • She achieved lightening of her load by removing unnecessary items from her backpack.
  • The lightening of the cargo ship was necessary to avoid sinking.

Translations

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

Interesting Facts

Cultural Usage

  • In many cultures, 'lightening' is often linked to hope and positivity, symbolizing a brighter future or thoughts.
  • In art and literature, characters often describe emotional relief or improved situations as 'lightening' their spirits.

Psychology

  • Psychologists suggest that 'lightening' burdens can lead to better mental health, as sharing problems often provides relief.
  • The concept of 'lightening' can reflect a significant psychological strategy for coping with stress.

Science

  • 'Lightening' doesn't just refer to brightness; in physics, it can relate to photons, the particles of light that travel in waves.
  • Astronomically, lightening and illuminating things can have observable effects on ecosystems, influencing plant growth patterns.

Literature

  • In poetry, 'lightening' often symbolizes enlightenment or clarity, contrasting darkness with illumination.
  • Famous writers have used the idea of 'lightening' as a recurring theme to demonstrate character growth and understanding throughout their journeys.

Origin of 'lightening'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Old English 'lehtan,' which means to make light or to lessen weight.
  • The term has evolved over centuries and is related to the concept of illumination and reducing load.

The word 'lightening' originated from the Old English word 'lightnian', which means to lighten or make light. The term has been used for centuries to describe the natural phenomenon of electrical discharges in the atmosphere, as well as the process of reducing weight. Over time, the spelling evolved to 'lightening' to differentiate between the two meanings.

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

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,326, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.