Phrase guide

lighten up

verb · 6 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To make (something) or to become less serious and more cheerful or casual; to relax.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, intransitive, transitive

Examples

  • I wish he'd lighten up a bit and realize that we were only joking.
  • The mood at work has been tense, so he's looking for ways to lighten it up.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To lighten (something): to decrease its weight.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • Near-synonym: slim down
  • He can't get any more power out of it [his drag racer], so now he's looking for ways to lighten it up.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: slim down

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

become lighter

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The room lightened up

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: lighten

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: change

Narrower terms: irradiate, light, illume, illumine, light up, illuminate

4

verb

Meaning 4

make lighter or brighter

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The paint will brighten the room

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: brighten, lighten

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: change, alter, modify

5

verb

Meaning 5

become more cheerful

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

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

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: lighten, buoy up

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: cheer, cheer up, chirk up

6

verb

Meaning 6

make more cheerful

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • the conversation lightened me up a bit

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: lighten, buoy up

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: cheer

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

3 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: ottaa rennommin — to make or become less serious
  • Spanish: amenizar — to make or become less serious
  • Ottoman Turkish: خفیفلنمك (hafiflenmek) — to make or become less serious