brighten

bright·en

verb \ˈbrī-t^ən\

bright·enedbright·en·ing\ˈbrīt-niŋ, ˈbrī-t^ən-iŋ\

Definition of BRIGHTEN

intransitive verb

: to become bright or brighter <her mood brightened>

transitive verb

: to make bright or brighter <the gift brightened my day>

— bright·en·er \ˈbrīt-nər, ˈbrī-t^ən-ər\ noun

Examples of BRIGHTEN

1. He brightened the picture on the television.
2. Flowers can brighten any room.
3. The good news brightened her mood.
4. The sky brightened after the storm.
5. Business prospects brightened last month.
6. Her face brightened in relief when she heard that he was not hurt.

First Known Use of BRIGHTEN

14th century

Related to BRIGHTEN

Synonyms: cheer (up), buck up, lighten, look up, perk (up)

Antonyms: darken, sadden

Related Words: rejoice; liven (up), revive; beam, glow, radiate, sparkle; encourage, gladden, hearten

Near Antonyms: despair, despond; brood, fret, mope

[+]more[-]hide

Rhymes with BRIGHTEN

Brighton, chitin, chiton, frighten, heighten, lighten, tighten, titan, triton, whiten