lighten

英 [ˈlaɪtn]

美 [ˈlaɪtn]

v.  减轻，减少(工作量、债务、担忧等); (使)变明亮，变成淡色; (使)感到不那么悲伤(或担忧、严肃); 缓和

过去分词：lightened　现在分词：lightening　过去式：lightened　第三人称单数：lightens　

CET4CET6

Collins.1 / BNC.11353 / COCA.8581

同义词辨析

illuminatelightlighten【导航词义：照亮】

短语用例

lighten up

• 别那么严肃；别担忧
  used to tell sb to become less serious or worried about sth
  1. equipment to lighten the load of domestic work
     减轻家务负担的设备
  2. The measures will lighten the tax burden on small businesses.
     这些措施将减轻小型企业的纳税负担。

牛津词典

verb

• 减轻，减少（工作量、债务、担忧等）
  to reduce the amount of work, debt, worry, etc. that sb has
  1. equipment to lighten the load of domestic work
     减轻家务负担的设备
  2. The measures will lighten the tax burden on small businesses.
     这些措施将减轻小型企业的纳税负担。
• （使）变明亮，变成淡色
  to become or make sth become brighter or lighter in colour
  1. The sky began to lighten in the east.
     东方开始透亮了。
  2. Use bleach to lighten the wood.
     用漂白剂把木材颜色漂浅。
• （使）感到不那么悲伤（或担忧、严肃）；缓和
  to feel or make sb feel less sad, worried or serious
  1. My mood gradually lightened.
     我的心情渐渐好起来。
  2. She told a joke to lighten the atmosphere.
     她讲了个笑话以缓和气氛。
• 减轻…的重量
  to make sth lighter in weight

柯林斯词典

• V-ERG （使）发亮；（使）变得明亮；（使）变淡
  When somethinglightensor when youlightenit, it becomes less dark in colour.
  1. The sky began to lighten...
     天空开始变亮了。
  2. Leslie lightens her hair and has now had it cut into a short, feathered style.
     莱斯莉将头发染成了浅色，现在又剪了个短蓬头。
• VERB 使缓和；调剂
  If someonelightensa situation, they make it less serious or less boring.
  1. Anthony felt the need to lighten the atmosphere...
     安东尼觉得有必要缓和一下气氛。
  2. He managed to lighten the generally lifeless debate at times...
     他让这场总体很沉闷的辩论时不时迸出了些火花。
  3. Her existence was lightened by bits of gossip.
     她的生活靠了飞短流长才不那么乏味。
• V-ERG （使）（态度、心情等）变得轻松（或愉快）
  If your attitude or moodlightens, or if someone or somethinglightensit, they make you feel more cheerful, happy, and relaxed.
  1. As they approached the outskirts of the city, Ella's mood visibly lightened...
     他们快到市郊时，埃拉的情绪明显好转。
  2. The sun was streaming in through the window, yet it did nothing to lighten his mood.
     阳光透过窗户照进来，可是这也不能让他的心情开朗起来。
• VERB 使变轻
  If youlightensomething, you make it less heavy.
  1. It is a good idea to blend it in a food processor as this lightens the mixture...
     把它放到食品加工器里搅拌是个好主意，因为这样能够使混合物的分量减轻。
  2. He pulled the lightened sled with all his strength.
     他用尽全力拉减轻了重量的雪橇。
• PHRASE 减轻…的负担
  If someone or somethinglightensyourburdenor yourload, they make a bad or difficult situation better for you.
  1. The minister has persuaded the banks to lighten the burden of the foreign debt...
     部长已经说服银行减轻外债负担。
  2. In sharing this secret you lighten your burden...
     和别人分享这个秘密可以减轻自己的负担。
  3. If you are responsible for children, lighten the load by asking others to help.
     如果你有抚养孩子的责任，可以请他人帮忙以减轻负担。

英英释义

verb

• alleviate or remove (pressure or stress) or make less oppressive
  1. relieve the pressure and the stress
  2. lighten the burden of caring for her elderly parents
  Synonym:relieve
• become lighter
  1. The room lightened up
  Synonym:lighten up
• make lighter or brighter
  1. The paint will brighten the room
  Synonym:brightenlighten up
• become more cheerful
  1. after a glass of wine, he lightened up a bit
  Synonym:lighten upbuoy up
• reduce the weight on
  1. she lightened the load on the tired donkey
• make more cheerful
  1. the conversation lightened me up a bit
  Synonym:lighten upbuoy up

双语例句

• This is because you had to do this to lighten your load in order to enter a new sandbox.
  这是因为你不得不减轻你的负担，以便于进入一个新阶段。
• We know you slim down their thighs and their noses and you lighten their skin.
  我们知道你们修长了她们的大腿和鼻子，提亮了她们的肤色。
• Spring is here, my friend, and it's time to lighten up.
  春天到了，我的朋友，该轻松起来了。
• In sharing this secret you lighten your burden
  和别人分享这个秘密可以减轻自己的负担。
• Her existence was lightened by bits of gossip.
  她的生活靠了飞短流长才不那么乏味。
• They are too heavy* I have to lighten the load.
  这东西太沉了，我要减轻负重。
• The minister has persuaded the banks to lighten the burden of the foreign debt
  部长已经说服银行减轻外债负担。
• If you are responsible for children, lighten the load by asking others to help.
  如果你有抚养孩子的责任，可以请他人帮忙以减轻负担。
• The sky began to lighten
  天空开始变亮了。
• The sun was streaming in through the window, yet it did nothing to lighten his mood.
  阳光透过窗户照进来，可是这也不能让他的心情开朗起来。