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 of brighten

• 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

Caffeine and pink algae extract also help to brighten the skin and leave your eyes with an undeniable glow. —Taryn Brooke, Glamour, 6 Mar. 2026

Your 5th House of Joy and your 9th House of Mindsets both brighten as Sun trines jovial Jupiter, encouraging bold expression that also feels safe and well-timed. —Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026

Creeping phlox is a great choice for edging, rock walls, or slopes, and will brighten any garden with its abundance of cheerful pastel blooms. —Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 5 Mar. 2026

This combination of berries, citrus and melon will brighten up your table and your palate. —Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 4 Mar. 2026

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