leaven
verb/ˈlevn/
/ˈlevn/
[often passive] (formal)Verb Forms
| present simple I / you / we / they leaven | /ˈlevn/ /ˈlevn/ |
| he / she / it leavens | /ˈlevnz/ /ˈlevnz/ |
| past simple leavened | /ˈlevnd/ /ˈlevnd/ |
| past participle leavened | /ˈlevnd/ /ˈlevnd/ |
| -ing form leavening | /ˈlevnɪŋ/ /ˈlevnɪŋ/ |
- to make bread rise by adding a substance, especially yeast, before it is cooked
- leavened bread
Definitions on the go
Look up any word in the dictionary offline, anytime, anywhere with the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary app.
- to make something more interesting or cheerful by adding something to it
- be leavened (with something) Her speech was leavened with a touch of humour.
Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French levain, based on Latin levamen ‘relief’ (literally ‘means of raising’), from levare ‘to lift’.
Check pronunciation:
leaven