brighten

verb

bright·​en ˈbrī-tᵊn 

brightened; brightening ˈbrīt-niŋ 

ˈbrī-tᵊn-iŋ

intransitive verb

: to become bright or brighter

transitive verb

1

: to make bright or brighter

you brightened my day

2

: to enhance or intensify the flavor of (food) especially by adding an acidic element (such as citrus juice or vinegar)

Crisp lemon slices brighten smoky bacon and rosemary-infused trout.

—Melissa Roberts-Matar

brightener

ˈbrīt-nər 

ˈbrī-tᵊn-ər

noun

Synonyms

• buck up
• cheer (up)
• lighten
• look up
• perk (up)

Examples of brighten in a Sentence

He brightened the picture on the television.

Flowers can brighten any room.

The good news brightened her mood.

The sky brightened after the storm.

Business prospects brightened last month.

Her face brightened in relief when she heard that he was not hurt.

Recent Examples on the Web

Teamed with a whole host of other vitamins (for synergistic purposes), this product brightens the skin whilst protecting it. —Angela Lei, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025

Free of parabens, fragrance, alcohol, and dye Good for all skin types Can be a bit strong for those with sensitive skin If dullness and uneven tone are a concern, this toner, infused with glycolic acid, will help brighten your complexion with minimal effort. —Jordan Galloway, SELF, 3 Jan. 2025

On a recent Wednesday, Anna brightened up her hummus with shatta ($6.99) — a bright-red chile paste that adds a kick when wiped through the hummus with a triangle of warm pita bread. —Anna Spoerre, Kansas City Star, 2 Jan. 2025

Hollis brightened the beige-on-beige hallway entrance to her apartment by hanging a wreath of flowers on her brown door. —Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 2 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Kids Definition

brighten

verb

bright·​en ˈbrīt-ᵊn 

brightened; brightening ˈbrīt-niŋ 

-ᵊn-iŋ

: to make or become bright or brighter