lighten

light|en [ˈlaıtn] v

1.) [T]

to reduce the amount of work, worry, debt etc that someone has

≠ ↑increase

lighten the load/burden/workload

▪ We should hire another secretary to lighten Barbara's workload.

2.) [I and T]

to become brighter or less dark, or to make something brighter etc

≠ ↑darken

▪ As the sky lightened , we were able to see where we were.

3.) [I and T]

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.)

if someone's face or expression lightens, they begin to look more cheerful

▪ His whole face would lighten when anyone mentioned Nancy.

5.) [I and T]

to reduce the weight of something or become less heavy

6.) lighten up

[i]spoken used to tell someone not to be so serious about something

▪ You need to lighten up a bit.