lessen

B1 Topic:Grammar & Function Words

US /ˈlɛsən/ See IPA manual

Homophones

lesson /ˈlɛs.ən/

Freq #24642

Meanings

1

verb
To make something smaller or weaker; to reduce.

Taking the medicine should lessen the pain.
2

verb
To become smaller or weaker.

The storm slowly lessened during the night.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 verb · to make something smaller... decrease reduce

2 verb · to become smaller or weaker. subside abate

More remit

Word family

Forms lessenedlesseninglessens

Derived forms lessenablelessenerunlessening

Etymology

From Middle English lessenen, lasnen, equivalent to less + -en (verbal suffix).

lessenen Middle English

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Grammar & Function Words

External links

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