brightness

noun

bright·​ness ˈbrīt-nəs 

1

a

: the quality or state of being bright

also : an instance of such a quality or state

b

: luminance

2

: the attribute of light-source colors by which emitted light is ordered continuously from light to dark in correlation with its intensity compare hue sense 2c, lightness entry 1 sense 2a, saturation sense 4

Synonyms

• brilliance
• brilliancy
• candor
• dazzle
• effulgence
• illumination
• lambency
• lightness
• luminance
• luminosity
• luminousness
• luster
• lustre
• lustrousness
• radiance
• refulgence
• splendor

Examples of brightness in a Sentence

the brightness of the sunshine made me squint after an afternoon spent in a darkened movie theater

Recent Examples on the Web

That’s about the same brightness as Polaris, the North Star, the 48th brightest star in the night sky. —Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025

The large 27-inch screen has a dreamy 5K resolution—an uncommon combo, hence the steep price—and hits 600 nits of brightness. —Brenda Stolyar, Wired News, 9 May 2025

This can add some brightness and revive the look of your entry. —Nora Colomer May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 7 May 2025

Aside from the delicate onion flavor of the herb, the butter has a brightness from fresh lemon zest and a hint of heat from the black pepper. —Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 5 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for brightness

• lightness
• rightness
• tightness
• whiteness
• politeness
• uprightness

Medical Definition

brightness

noun

bright·​ness ˈbrīt-nəs 

: the one of the three psychological dimensions of color perception by which visual stimuli are ordered continuously from light to dark and which is correlated with light intensity compare hue, saturation sense 4a