Basic Details
Word: Lightening
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: To make something lighter in weight or colour; to reduce the darkness or heaviness of something.
Synonyms: Brightening, lightening up, making lighter
Antonyms: Darkening, heavyening
Idioms and Phrases
- Lightening the load: To make a difficult situation easier or to reduce the burden. Example: "She decided to lighten the load by asking for help with her project."
- Lightening up: To become less serious or tense; to relax. Example: "He really needs to lighten up and enjoy life instead of worrying all the time."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The artist used a lighter shade of blue to make the painting feel more vibrant and joyful.
Example 2: After winter, the days started lightening, and people began to go outside more often.
Example 3: To lighten the atmosphere, the teacher told a funny joke that made all the students laugh.
Fun Fact
The word "lighten" comes from the Old English word "leoht," meaning 'bright' or 'clear.' It relates to the brightness of light and how it can affect our mood.
Famous Quote
"Its not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness." Charles Spurgeon
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "lightening" mean?
a) To make something heavier
b) To make something darker
c) To make something lighter in weight or colour
d) To make something more complicated
Answer: c) To make something lighter in weight or colour
2. Which of these is a synonym of "lightening"?
a) Darkening
b) Brightening
c) Heavily
d) Loading
Answer: b) Brightening
3. What is an antonym of "lightening"?
a) Lightening the load
b) Brightening the room
c) Darkening the sky
d) Lightening up
Answer: c) Darkening the sky
4. Which sentence uses "lightening" correctly?
a) He was lightening his backpack by removing unnecessary items.
b) The lightening storm was beautiful.
c) Lightening can be used to prepare the food.
d) She lightening the water to drink it.
Answer: a) He was lightening his backpack by removing unnecessary items.
5. Which idiom relates to "lightening"?
a) Lightening the load
b) As heavy as a mountain
c) Dark clouds coming
d) Light as a feather
Answer: a) Lightening the load
