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

Its star ingredient is a 12% concentration of L-ascorbic acid—a pure, potent form of vitamin C that brightens the complexion and neutralizes free radicals. — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2026

His hometown team calling his name on the opening night of the NFL Draft a few months later brightened it. — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 25 Oct. 2026

The restaurant’s name is a nod to former first lady Lady Bird Johnson, whose legacy includes planting wildflowers along Texas highways to brighten the drive. — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026

Some also have other antiaging superstars like retinol, brightening ingredients like vitamin C, antioxidants like vitamin E, or niacinamide (a form of vitamin B3) to strengthen the skin barrier. — Christa Joanna Lee, Glamour, 23 Oct. 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