verb
- causes dough to rise by adding a substance that produces gas bubbles
- makes something more lively, interesting, or enjoyable by adding a particular quality
Usage: figurative
Examples
- Yeast leavens the bread dough overnight.
- Baking soda leavens these muffins perfectly.
- She leavens her serious lectures with humor.
- Music leavens the atmosphere at dinner parties.
- A good joke leavens even the most boring meeting.
- The chef leavens the heavy sauce with fresh herbs.