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

Flagg will have to bulk up and find his footing against NBA-level competition, but Dallas’ future has improbably brightened — just a few months ago, fans staged fake funerals outside of home games. —Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 10 July 2025

There’s no need to spend time and money at the dentist to get a whiter smile — these Crest Whitestrips can brighten your smile in under an hour. —Clara McMahon, People.com, 8 July 2025

Believe it or not, serving others can brighten your spirit. —Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 7 July 2025

Hanging a mirror over a bookcase or console is another option, especially if that wall faces a window to brighten and enlarge the space. —Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 July 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