brighten

1 of 2

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

brightener

2 of 2

noun

bright·​en·​er ˈbrīt-nər 

ˈbrī-tᵊn-ər

plural -s

1

: fluorescent brightener

2

: a chemical or mixture of chemicals added to an electroplating bath to increase the brightness of the plate (such as nickel plate)

Synonyms of brighten

Verb

• lighten
• glow
• revive

Examples of brighten in a Sentence

Verb

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

Verb

Here's a snapshot of the finalists, but make sure to check out our gallery to see more images that'll brighten your day. — New Atlas, 10 Oct. 2026

Soft yellow and tricolors of the French flag brightened the palette. — Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026

The star brightens again when the spots rotate back out of view. — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 9 Oct. 2026

White wine brightens without dominating the flavors, whole milk adds richness while helping tenderize the beef, and a pinch of nutmeg adds subtle warmth. — Andy Baraghani, Bon Appetit Magazine, 9 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

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