leaven
1 of 2noun
leav·en ˈle-vən 
1
a
: a substance (such as yeast) used to produce fermentation in dough or a liquid
especially : sourdough
b
: a material (such as baking powder) used to produce a gas that lightens dough or batter
2
: something that modifies or lightens
leaven
2 of 2verb
leavened; leavening ˈlev-niŋ
ˈle-və-
transitive verb
1
: to raise (something, such as bread) with a leaven
2
: to mingle or permeate with some modifying, alleviating, or vivifying element
especially : lighten
a sermon leavened with humor
Example Sentences
Noun a serious book that includes a few humorous stories as leaven Verb He needs to leaven his speeches with more humor. using yeast to leaven the dough
Recent Examples on the Web
Tim Kelleher, National Review, 3 Mar. 2022 Pulque would supply a baker with an abundance of yeasts to leaven bread. Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2022 Having faith that we are created beings made for more than our jobs and presidential elections makes things like virtue and the Beatitudes leaven in our mess of the world. Kathryn Jean Lopez, National Review, 28 Feb. 2022 Larger, more opulent parades will follow in February as Mardi Gras nears and the city attempts to leaven the season's joy with caution. Kevin Mcgill, ajc, 6 Jan. 2022 But touches like the Ron Swanson leaven the deep thoughts with a little fun. al, 7 Sep. 2021 During the seven or eight-day festival, all leaven, in bread or otherwise, is prohibited, and only matzo — unleavened bread — may be eaten, which symbolizes Hebrew suffering while in slavery and their ensuing deliverance and exodus. Andre Toran, The Courier-Journal, 25 Mar. 2021 To leaven the choice, Bush designated Bob Teeter to be deputy chief of staff. Tevi Troy, Washington Examiner, 18 Feb. 2021 The first casualty of that policy could be the handful of lighter and quirky bills that usually leaven each session. Washington Post, 29 Nov. 2020 See More
Verb
All the more reason, therefore, for the one person uniquely positioned to be a lever for peace, and leaven of justice, to act. Tim Kelleher, National Review, 3 Mar. 2022 Pulque would supply a baker with an abundance of yeasts to leaven bread. Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2022 Having faith that we are created beings made for more than our jobs and presidential elections makes things like virtue and the Beatitudes leaven in our mess of the world. Kathryn Jean Lopez, National Review, 28 Feb. 2022 Larger, more opulent parades will follow in February as Mardi Gras nears and the city attempts to leaven the season's joy with caution. Kevin Mcgill, ajc, 6 Jan. 2022 But touches like the Ron Swanson leaven the deep thoughts with a little fun. al, 7 Sep. 2021 During the seven or eight-day festival, all leaven, in bread or otherwise, is prohibited, and only matzo — unleavened bread — may be eaten, which symbolizes Hebrew suffering while in slavery and their ensuing deliverance and exodus. Andre Toran, The Courier-Journal, 25 Mar. 2021 To leaven the choice, Bush designated Bob Teeter to be deputy chief of staff. Tevi Troy, Washington Examiner, 18 Feb. 2021 The first casualty of that policy could be the handful of lighter and quirky bills that usually leaven each session. Washington Post, 29 Nov. 2020 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English levain, from Anglo-French levein, from Vulgar Latin *levamen, from Latin levare to raise — more at lever
First Known Use
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
leaven
verb
leav·en ˈle-vən
leavened; leavening
: to cause to rise by adding something (as baking powder) that produces a gas
leavened bread
leavens
verb
as in enlivens
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- enlivens
- animates
- infuses
- invigorates
- suffuses
- imbues
- inoculates
- inculcates
- pervades
- permeates
- endues
- ingrains
- instills
- invests
- saturates
- engrains
- steeps
- charges
- impregnates
- plants
- overwhelms
- indues
- inundates
- fills
- floods
- implants
- submerges
- deluges
- drowns
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- deprives
- removes
- divests
- empties
- strips
- clears
- eliminates
- takes (away)