brighten

bright·en

verb \ˈbrī-t^ən\

: to add more light to (something)

: to make (something) more colorful or cheerful

: to become brighter or more cheerful

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

Full 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

Rhymes with BRIGHTEN

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