Definitions for lightening

• Definition
• Anagrams (200)

lightening light·en·ing

Spelling: [lahyt-n-ing]

IPA: /ˈlaɪt n ɪŋ/

Lightening is a 10 letter English word. It's valid Scrabble word worth 15 points. It's valid Words with friends word worth 19 points.

You can make 200 anagrams from letters in lightening (egghiilnnt).

Definitions for lightening

noun

1. the descent of the uterus into the pelvic cavity, occurring toward the end of pregnancy, changing the contour of the abdomen and facilitating breathing by lessening pressure under the diaphragm.

verb (used with object)

1. to give light to; illuminate:
2. to brighten (the eyes, features, etc.):
3. to make lighter or less dark:
4. Obsolete. enlighten.
5. Obsolete. to flash or emit like lightning (usually followed by out, forth, or down):
6. to make lighter in weight:
7. to lessen the load of or upon:
8. to make less burdensome or oppressive; alleviate; mitigate:
9. to cheer or gladden:

verb (used without object)

1. to become lighter or less dark; brighten:
2. to brighten or light up, as the eyes or features:
3. to flash as or like lightning (often used impersonally with it as subject):
4. Archaic. to shine, gleam, or be bright:
5. to become less severe, stringent, or harsh; ease up:
6. to become less heavy, cumbersome, burdensome, oppressive, etc.:
7. to become less gloomy; perk up:

Origin of lightening

First recorded in 1520-30; lighten² + -ing¹

Examples for lightening

He believes that the plane was hit by a bolt of lightening and went down in deep water.

Buckling down to tie-up loose ends is key to lightening your mental load.

The girl looked at her with a lightening of her amiable, indifferent air.

In recent times, Zwarte Piet has become a lightening rod for issues of Dutch identity and multicultural tolerance.

The artist explained that "Light is as important as lightening."

By five in the morning, the sky was lightening, and we trudged back toward Christopher Street, where I could catch a train home.

"It is well," I said, with a lightening of the heart, and bent down to lift the wooden lid.

He shot his hands into the air with the lightening vivacity that was in him a sort of wit.

The changing, lightening gravity on the incline caught them.

But the lapse of time brought some relief and a lightening of their depression.