Lessen in brightness
Published by Naitik Mehta · March 31, 2026
Stuck on the clue Lessen in brightness from the New York Times Midi for March 31, 2026? We have the correct 4-letter answer, including the definition, alternative hints, as well as other answers from the same crossword. Ready to learn more about this clue?
Clue
Lessen in brightness (4)
Answer
The answer to Lessen in brightness is Fade (4 letters).
Some cells in this answer were drawn with a circle in the original puzzle — these often flag a hidden theme.
Why does Fade fit this clue?
This entry has a circled cell at index 2, where the letter 'D' is visually marked in the grid as part of a theme pattern. The circled 'D' likely connects to other circled letters across the puzzle to spell out a hidden word or mark a thematic sequence. The clue 'Lessen in brightness' is a direct definition pointing to FADE, a verb meaning to gradually lose intensity, color, or luminosity. When something fades, it becomes dimmer, paler, or less vivid over time. This fits the clue perfectly because fading is the specific process by which brightness diminishes, whether describing sunlight at dusk, colors in old photographs, or the dimming of artificial lights.
What does Lessen in brightness mean?
We break down each word in the clue and show its dictionary definitions below.
lessen
verb
•to make or become smaller in amount, degree, or intensity
brightness
noun
•the quality of being bright or giving off light
Where did this clue appear?
This clue appeared as 4-down in the New York Times Midi on March 31, 2026, by Ian Livengood. See all answers for this puzzle.
NYT Midi — Mar 31, 2026
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What does Fade mean?
noun
•A golf shot that (for the right-handed player) curves intentionally to the right. See slice, hook, draw.
•A haircut where the hair is short or shaved on the sides of the head and longer on top. See also high-top fade and low fade.
verb
•To grow weak; to lose strength; to decay; to perish gradually; to wither, as a plant.
•To lose freshness, color, or brightness; to become faint in hue or tint; hence, to be wanting in color.
adjective
•Weak; insipid; tasteless.
•Strong; bold; doughty.
Origin of the word Fade
•origin: Old French 'fader'
•period: 14th century
The word originally meant 'to wither' or 'become stale' and is related to the Latin 'vapidus' meaning 'flat' or 'insipid', which also gave us the word 'vapid'.
How to use Fade in a sentence
Here are 3 examples of how to use the word Fade.
•“The old photograph began to fade after years of exposure to sunlight.”
•“Her memories of childhood started to fade as she grew older.”
•“The sound of the train whistle began to fade as it disappeared into the distance.”
What are other crossword clues for Fade?
Learn about related clues
All clues from the New York Times Midi, Mar 31, 2026 crossword
The New York Times Midi for March 31, 2026 titled “Five in a Row” was published by Ian Livengood and has 33 clues. Curious about all the answers from this crossword puzzle? View all answers here.
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Frequently asked questions about Lessen in brightness
- What is the answer to Lessen in brightness?
- The answer is Fade (4 letters).
- Where did this clue appear?
- This clue was last seen in the New York Times Midi on March 31, 2026.
- How many letters does the answer to Lessen in brightness have?
- The answer has 4 letters: Fade.
Author
Naitik Mehta
Co-founder
Naitik is a gaming enthusiast who loves solving daily word games and enjoys the friendly competition from time to time. He is the co-founder of Crossword Chef and enjoys thinking about how to make crossword solving more fun for everyone around the world.
Puzzle
NYT Midi — Mar 31, 2026
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