brightness

noun

bright·​ness ˈbrīt-nəs 

1

a

: the quality or state of being bright

also : an instance of such a quality or state

b

: luminance

2

: the attribute of light-source colors by which emitted light is ordered continuously from light to dark in correlation with its intensity compare hue sense 2c, lightness entry 1 sense 2a, saturation sense 4

Synonyms

• brilliance
• brilliancy
• candor
• dazzle
• effulgence
• illumination
• lambency
• lightness
• luminance
• luminosity
• luminousness
• luster
• lustre
• lustrousness
• radiance
• refulgence
• splendor

Examples of brightness in a Sentence

the brightness of the sunshine made me squint after an afternoon spent in a darkened movie theater

Recent Examples on the Web

Rows and rows of poinsettias, thousands of them, spread across the concrete floors in a sea of crimson, the scent of damp soil and the blinding brightness of the blooms hitting my senses instantly. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 1 Dec. 2024

Plus, its long battery life and adjustable brightness are perfect for long flights or days at the beach. —Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 28 Nov. 2024

Directed by David Lowery from a story by Jack Thorne and Alfonso Cuarón, An Almost Christmas Story is less about the religious significance of the holiday — which, after all, the owl Moon has never heard of — than offering brightness and warmth in winter. —Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 28 Nov. 2024

The Signature Edition is also on sale for $155, which comes with double the storage, auto-adjust brightness, and support for wireless charger. —Simon Hill, WIRED, 28 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Medical Definition

brightness

noun

bright·​ness ˈbrīt-nəs 

: the one of the three psychological dimensions of color perception by which visual stimuli are ordered continuously from light to dark and which is correlated with light intensity compare hue, saturation sense 4a