French word

alléger

Pronunciation

IPA/aleʒe/

Meaning

  • verblighten

Example

Tu devrais alléger ton sac avant la randonnée.

You should lighten your backpack before the hike.

Illustration for alléger (lighten)

More examples

Le médicament a aidé à alléger la douleur.

The medication helped ease the pain.

Core concept

Weight or pressure lifted from an object or situation until it feels more manageable.

Common phrases

  • alléger le sac

    make the bag lighter

  • alléger la douleur

    ease the pain

  • alléger la charge

    reduce the burden

Similar words

réduire: Reduce an amount, size, weight, or quantity.
diminuer: Gradually make an amount or degree smaller.
soulager: Ease pain, worry, or a feeling of being burdened.
simplifier: Make procedures or systems simpler and easier to handle.

Definition in French

Diminuer le poids ou l'importance d'un objet ou d'une situation pour la rendre plus facile à porter ou à gérer.

Word origin

The verb alléger comes through Old French from Latin alleviare and retains the older idea of making something less heavy.

Usage tips

  • The reflexive form s'alléger means that the weight, amount, or burden decreases without naming an agent.

Other meanings

  • reduceverb
  • easeverb

Opposites

  • alourdirweigh downverb

Related words

  • allégementreductionnoun
  • allégélightenedadjective

Word lists with this word