verb
lessen
LEH-suhn
verb
1
To make something smaller in size, degree, or intensity; to reduce it.
"Regular exercise can lessen the risk of heart disease."
"The new policy is meant to lessen the burden on small businesses."
2
To become smaller or weaker.
"Her pain lessened after she took the medication."
How to Use Lessen
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo make (or become) less, smaller, or weaker.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "lesson" (a unit of teaching) — they sound completely different but are sometimes mistyped.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
lessen the risk
lessen the impact
lessen the burden
Word Forms
lessened past tense, lessens singular
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Fill the Gap
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Regular exercise can _____ the risk of heart disease.
Etymology
From "less" plus the verb-forming suffix "-en," the same pattern seen in "widen" and "deepen."