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V-ERG
（使）發亮；（使）變得明亮；（使）變淡
When something lightens or when you lighten it, it becomes less dark in colour.
例句
The sky began to lighten...
天空開始變亮了。
Leslie lightens her hair and has now had it cut into a short, feathered style.
萊斯莉將頭發染成了淺色，現在又剪了個短蓬頭。
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VERB
使緩和；調劑
If someone lightens a situation, they make it less serious or less boring.
例句
Anthony felt the need to lighten the atmosphere...
安東尼覺得有必要緩和一下氣氛。
He managed to lighten the generally lifeless debate at times...
他讓這場總體很沉悶的辯論時不時迸出了些火花。
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V-ERG
（使）（態度、心情等）變得輕松（或愉快）
If your attitude or mood lightens, or if someone or something lightens it, they make you feel more cheerful, happy, and relaxed.
例句
As they approached the outskirts of the city, Ella's mood visibly lightened...
他們快到市郊時，埃拉的情緒明顯好轉。
The sun was streaming in through the window, yet it did nothing to lighten his mood.
陽光透過窗戶照進來，可是這也不能讓他的心情開朗起來。
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VERB
使變輕
If you lighten something, you make it less heavy.
例句
It is a good idea to blend it in a food processor as this lightens the mixture...
把它放到食品加工器里攪拌是個好主意，因為這樣能夠使混合物的分量減輕。
He pulled the lightened sled with all his strength.
他用盡全力拉減輕了重量的雪橇。
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PHRASE
減輕…的負擔
If someone or something lightens your burden or your load, they make a bad or difficult situation better for you.
例句
The minister has persuaded the banks to lighten the burden of the foreign debt...
部長已經說服銀行減輕外債負擔。
In sharing this secret you lighten your burden...
和別人分享這個秘密可以減輕自己的負擔。