Lessen Meaning
/ˈlɛsən/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo make less; to diminish; to reduce.
verbTo become less.
Sentence Examples
She tried to lessen her expenses.
We had to lessen the impact of the erratic supplies.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The doctor gave her medicine to ____ the severe pain in her knee.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Taking a warm bath before bed can help to ____ the stress and tension that has built up during a busy day today.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English lessenen, lasnen, equivalent to less + -en (verbal suffix).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The thin glass that makes mirror tiles light in weight also tends to lessen their reflective quality."
— 1980, Robert M. Jones, editor, Walls and Ceilings, Time-Life Books, →ISBN, page 44:
"Many hospitals have not taken simple steps to lessen the distress and confusion which dementia sufferers' often feel on being somewhere so unfamiliar – such as making signs large and easy to read, using colour schemes to help patients find their way around unfamiliar wards and not putting family mementoes such as photographs nearby."
— 2011 December 16, Denis Campbell, “Hospital staff 'lack skills to cope with dementia patients'”, in Guardian:
"Ober closed his encomium with the serious statement that “Lessen he could marry Miss Jennie he would be a bachelor the balance of his life," to which the drayman replied that " If Oi were Miss Janie Oi'd black yer oi the minute ye thought of such a thing. The oidee.""
— 1895, Book-keeper (Detroit, Mich. : 1888). - Volume 8, Issue 6, page 10:
"She was fine-looking; he couldn't find a fault with her 'lessen he made it up."
— 2011, Caroline Miller, Lamb in His Bosom, page 107:
"No more work outta them lessen they paid now."
— 2011, J. California Cooper, Family:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The doctor gave her medicine to ____ the severe pain in her knee.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Taking a warm bath before bed can help to ____ the stress and tension that has built up during a busy day today.