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

• lighten
• glow
• revive

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

Then give someone a sincere compliment to brighten his or her day. —Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 27 June 2025

The trees featured here flower at different times throughout the year and tolerate a range of growing conditions, offering beautiful options to brighten any landscape. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 27 June 2025

The model notably wore sandy, honey blonde hair in October 2005, with money pieces — highlights strategically placed around the hairline to brighten the face and enhance a person's features — to frame her face. —Starr Bowenbank, People.com, 23 June 2025

Or try alpaca carpaccio, the rich meat brightened with a pesto-style sauce. —Carolyn Heller, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for brighten

• chitin
• frighten
• heighten
• lighten
• phaeton
• tighten
• titan
• triton
• whiten
• enlighten
• exciton
• periphyton

Kids Definition

brighten

verb

bright·​en ˈbrīt-ᵊn 

brightened; brightening ˈbrīt-niŋ 

-ᵊn-iŋ

: to make or become bright or brighter