lighten

To make someone happier or make a situation feel less serious.

• His joke lightened the mood.
• Some music might lighten the atmosphere.
• She tried to lighten the conversation with a funny story.

Similar words: brighten, cheer up

Common phrases: lighten the mood, lighten the atmosphere, lighten someone's spirits

To make something weigh less.

• Remove a few books to lighten your bag.
• We lightened the boat by unloading some equipment.
• Can you lighten my backpack before we leave?

Similar words: reduce the weight of

Opposites: weigh down

Common phrases: lighten the load, lighten a bag, lighten someone's backpack

To make a place or color less dark.

• White paint will lighten the room.
• She lightened her hair for summer.
• Can you lighten this shade of blue?

Similar words: brighten

Opposites: darken

Common phrases: lighten a room, lighten your hair, lighten the color, lighten the streets

To make someone's work, worries, or suffering easier to deal with.

• Your help will lighten my workload.
• Sharing her worries lightened the burden.
• The extra staff lightened everyone's load.

Similar words: ease, reduce, alleviate

Opposites: increase

Common phrases: lighten the load, lighten someone's burden, lighten the workload