lighten

verb

1. make more cheerful

- the conversation lightened me up a bit

Definition categories: emotion, cheer

2. reduce the weight on; make lighter

- she lightened the load on the tired donkey

Definition categories: contact, disburden, unburden

3. become more cheerful

- after a glass of wine, he lightened up a bit

Definition categories: communication, cheer

4. make more cheerful through the use of color

Similar word(s): brighten

Definition categories: change, alter, modify

5. become lighter

- The room lightened up

Definition categories: change

6. alleviate or remove (pressure or stress) or make less oppressive

- lighten the burden of caring for her elderly parents

Similar word(s): relieve

Definition categories: change, mitigate