How to pronounce lighten
Say it like LY-tun. Lighten has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce lighten. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- LY
- tun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Lighten pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- LYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
- tunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of lighten
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: LY-tun.
What does lighten mean?
- To make brighter or clearer; to illuminate.“to lighten an apartment with lamps or gas; to lighten the streets”
- To become brighter or clearer; to brighten.
- To emit or disclose in, or as if in, lightning; to flash out, like lightning.
- To alleviate; to reduce the burden of.“Sorrow can be lightened by being openly brought out.”
- To make light or lighter in weight.
- To make less serious or more cheerful.
- To descend; to light.
Where does lighten come from?
From Middle English lightnen, equivalent to light + -en.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with lighten
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of lighten.
Questions about saying lighten
How do you pronounce lighten?
Say LY-tun. The American pronunciation is /ˈlaɪtən/. In British English it is /ˈlaɪtən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in lighten?
Lighten has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LY). Broken into parts: LY · tun.
Is lighten pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /ˈlaɪtən/ (LY-tun).