lighten

S2 W2

BrE /ˈlaɪtn/ AmE /ˈlaɪtn/

verb en → es

past lightened pp lightened ing lightening

1 MAKE LESS DARK [transitive] B1

to make something less dark or darker in color

alumbrar, iluminar, aclarar

  • lighten sth

Collocations lighten the room · lighten one's hair

  • The curtains help to lighten the room.

    Las cortinas ayudan a iluminar la habitación.

2 MAKE LESS SERIOUS [transitive] B1

to make something less serious or severe

aliviar, suavizar, mitigar

  • lighten sth

Collocations lighten the mood · lighten a sentence

  • She tried to lighten the mood by telling jokes.

    Ella intentó aliviar el ambiente contando chistes.

3 LOSE WEIGHT [intransitive] B1

to become thinner or lose weight, especially gradually

adelgazar, perder peso

  • sb lightens

Collocations lighten up · lighten down

  • She has been trying to lighten for months.

    Ha estado intentando adelgazar durante meses.

4 REDUCE LOAD [transitive] B2

to make something less heavy or difficult to carry

aliviar, hacer más liviano

  • lighten sth

Collocations lighten the load · lighten a burden

  • The new system will lighten our workload.

    El nuevo sistema aliviará nuestra carga de trabajo.

5 REDUCE STRENGTH [transitive] B2

to make something less strong or powerful

debilitar, hacer menos fuerte

  • lighten sth

Collocations lighten a blow · lighten an attack

  • He tried to lighten the blow by hitting with his hand.

    Intentó debilitar el golpe al pegar con la mano.

6 REDUCE STRESS [transitive] B2

to make something less stressful or worrying

aliviar, hacer menos estresante

  • lighten sth

Collocations lighten the stress · lighten a worry

  • The news will lighten your worries.

    Las noticias aliviarán tus preocupaciones.

7 REDUCE INTENSITY [transitive] C1

to make something less intense or strong in feeling

aliviar, hacer menos intenso

  • lighten sth

Collocations lighten the pain · lighten a sensation

  • The medicine will lighten the pain.

    El medicamento aliviará el dolor.

8 REDUCE QUANTITY [transitive] C1

to make something less in quantity or amount

disminuir, reducir

  • lighten sth

Collocations lighten the load · lighten a burden

  • The company is trying to lighten its debts.

    La empresa está intentando reducir sus deudas.