Clues for the word "LIGHTEN"
We've had 20 crossword clues used for this word, and seen it 19 times in crosswords. It was last seen in Evening Standard Cryptic crossword on July 30, 2025.
Definition of lighten
- v. i. - To descend; to light.
- v. i. - To burst forth or dart, as lightning; to shine with, or like, lightning; to display a flash or flashes of lightning; to flash.
- v. i. - To grow lighter; to become less dark or lowering; to brighten; to clear, as the sky.
- v. t. - To make light or clear; to light; to illuminate; as, to lighten an apartment with lamps or gas; to lighten the streets.
- v. t. - To illuminate with knowledge; to enlighten.
- v. t. - To emit or disclose in, or as in, lightning; to flash out, like lightning.
- v. t. - To free from trouble and fill with joy.
- v. t. - To make lighter, or less heavy; to reduce in weight; to relieve of part of a load or burden; as, to lighten a ship by unloading; to lighten a load or burden.
- v. t. - To make less burdensome or afflictive; to alleviate; as, to lighten the cares of life or the burden of grief.
- v. t. - To cheer; to exhilarate.
Referring Clues
- Decrease, as a load
- Ease, as a load
- Illuminate
- Bleach, perhaps
- Ease
- Bleach, say
- ___ up; take life less seriously
- Reduce the load
- Make blonder
- Liberal with the gin when ordered to cheer up
- Alleviate
- Relieve
- Reduce weight
- Reduce bleach
- Make up for having overcharged?
- Make less heavy or burdensome
- Being a match for some men will ease things
- Make less heavy
- Make it more bearable and fairer
- ___ the load (make things easier)
Last Seen In
- Evening Standard Cryptic - July 30, 2025
- Evening Standard Cryptic - January 24, 2025
- Evening Standard Quick - November 23, 2023
- USA Today - October 29, 2023
- Evening Standard Cryptic - September 15, 2023
- Evening Standard Quick - November 01, 2017
- Penny Dell Daily - April 09, 2017
- Guardian Everyman - April 10, 2016
- King Syndicate - Eugene Sheffer - April 30, 2014
- King Syndicate - Thomas Joseph - June 03, 2013
- Guardian Speedy - January 13, 2013
- King Syndicate - Premier Sunday - February 19, 2012
- I Swear Crossword - August 05, 2011
- Guardian Cryptic - December 20, 2010
- I Swear Crossword - October 15, 2010
- Pat Sajack's Code Letter - December 04, 2007
- Universal - April 02, 2007
- Guardian Quick - October 30, 2006
- USA Today - January 06, 2004