lighten

verb ! Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about lighten at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

1. Make more cheerful.

   the conversation lightened me up a bit

2. Reduce the weight on; make lighter.

   she lightened the load on the tired donkey

3. Become more cheerful.

   after a glass of wine, he lightened up a bit